Metabolism of glycoproteins in cultured retinal pigment epithelium.

The turnover and migration of synthesized glycoproteins in the cultured retinal pigment epithelium have been studied. Quantitative study indicated that half-time of 3H-fucosylglycoproteins was 11.6 days. Autoradiography was performed several times after incubation of 3H-fucose. Retinal pigment epithelium constantly synthesized glycoproteins and released them into the basal extracellular material. Possible functions of the glycoproteins are discussed.