Characterization of different forms of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from rat liver and hepatoma by monoclonal antibodies.

Nine monoclonal antibodies directed against DPP IV from rat liver plasma membranes were obtained. They recognized four different epitopes (A, B, C and D) of the enzyme. The epitopes A, B and C were located on the outside of the hepatocyte plasma membrane and were shared by DPP IV from hepatoma plasma membrane and the soluble form. Epitope D appeared to be partly inserted in the membrane and was found exclusively in the liver. Epitopes A, B and C and DPP IV revealed by histochemical means showed similar distribution patterns on frozen sections of various rat tissues, while epitope D did not show such a correlation. DPP IV is inserted in liver plasma membrane by two different mechanisms, one being phospholipase C-sensitive, while in hepatoma the enzyme is anchored in this membrane by a phospholipase C-resistant mechanism only.