Changes in the expression of the tumor-associated antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 44-3A6 in A549 cells due to calcium.

Abstract

Although there is extensive data available on Ca2+ effects in normal tissues, comparatively little is known about its effects or regulation in tumor cells. The present studies were undertaken to investigate whether various extracellular calcium concentrations could modulate the expression of the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) 44-3A6. It is highly expressed by the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and has been shown to be a 40-kD integral plasma membrane protein. Treatment of the A549 cell line with various concentrations of exogenous calcium showed a dose-dependent rise in the internal free calcium levels up to 2.4-2.9 mM (external calcium treatment). At higher concentrations, the internal calcium level showed a decline, indicating a higher calcium efflux. The calmodulin-dependent Ca(2+)-ATPase enzyme involved in calcium homeostasis was assayed under these same conditions. The enzyme activity increased with increasing external calcium concentrations showing a 5-fold increase in cells treated with 4.05 mM calcium. These data suggest that as the internal calcium approaches toxic levels, the Ca(2+)-regulated ATPase activity increases to reduce the calcium overload within the cell. Employing Western blot analysis and immunoperoxidase staining studies, this report shows that the antigen recognized by MAb 44-3A5 on A549 cells increased with an increase in calcium concentration. Evidence that this antigen is phosphorylated is presented using Western blot analysis of a radiolabeled antigen-enriched plasma membrane fraction. The previously reported subcellular localization, and now the phosphorylation and responsiveness to calcium by this TAA, gives it the properties predicted to be seen in a calcium 'pump-like' molecule. Thus, these studies support the hypothesis that this TAA may be important in intracellular calcium concentration control or that it is regulated via some calcium-mediated process.