Ferritin-conjugated antibodies used for labeling of organelles involved in the cellular synthesis and transport of procollagen.

An improved procedure was used to conjugate ferritin to antibodies specific for the NH(2)-terminal extensions on the precursor form of collagen known as procollagen. The ferritin-antibody conjugates were then used to determine the localization of procollagen in fibroblasts isolated from chick-embryo tendons. Procollagen was found in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that the protein passes into this compartment early in its biosynthesis. Specific labeling of large Golgi vacuoles was also observed, suggesting that this compartment is also involved in the secretory process. When cells were incubated with colchicine so that the secretion of procollagen was delayed, there was an increase of large, smooth-surfaced vacuoles in the cells and these vacuoles were labeled with the ferritin-antibody conjugate.