Colchicine inhibits epidermal growth factor degradation in 3T3 cells.

Colchicine (2 microM) did not affect the initial rate of association of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) to Swiss 3T3 cells but continued incubation (up to 24 hr) led to an increase in cell-associated radioactivity. The effect is also produced by Colcemid, vinblastine, and podophyllotoxin but not by lumicolchicine. Disruption of microtubules with colchicine does not alter the rate of "down regulation" of EGF receptors, suggesting the binding and internalization of the factor proceed unchanged. However, colchicine markedly decreases the rate of appearance of acid-soluble radioactivity from cells either incubated continuously with 125I-EGF for 24 hr or exposed to the radioactive peptide for only 1 or 3 hr. The results indicate that colchicine decreases the rate of degradation of internalized 125I-EGF. Because antitubulin agents enhance the mitogenic effect of EGF our results suggest that peptide degradation can be dissociated from the long-term biological effect.