Altered distribution profiles of endoplasmic reticulum subfractions after incubation of Krebs II ascites cells with different concentrations of cytochalasin B.

Information on the interaction between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes and components of the skeletal network of the cell was gained by treating cells with the antimicrofilament agent cytochalasin B prior to cell disruption by nitrogen cavitation. Treatment of Krebs II ascites cells with cytochalasin B (5-10 micrograms ml-1) resulted in an increased yield of three ER membrane subfractions--heavy rough (HR), light rough (LR) and smooth (S) membranes, as judged by 3H-choline incorporation in gradient fractions following discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. The major increase was observed in the HR fraction. These results indicate that the actual yield of the respective ER membrane subfractions after cell disruption is dependent on the degree of direct and/or indirect interaction between individual ER membranes and actin containing filaments of the cytoskeleton in the intact cell.