Studies on intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the rat exocrine pancreas

Abstract

The effects of cobalt and lanthanum on the secretory process of the rat exocrine pancreas was studied in vitro using isolated pancreatic lobules. Cobalt in concentrations between 10(-3) to 10(-5) M has no effect on the rate of protein synthesis, intracellular transport, or discharge of zymogen granules, if the total population of stored granules is considered. It has, however, a marked effect on the release of newly packed zymogen granules which are formed during incubation in 10(-3) M CoC1(2). Determination of specific radioactivity in amylase released under the stimulation of 5X10(-6) M carbamylcholine and of total proteins retained in the zymogen granule fraction during stimulation indicate that granules formed during incubation in CoC1(2) are excluded from discharge. Lanthanum, on the other hand, has a differential effect on protein synthesis, intracellular transport, and discharge. Incorporation of tritiated leucine into TCA-precipitable proteins is inhibited by 50% at 10(-3) M LaC1(3). Intracellular transport as studied by cell fractionation is not changed during the first 35 min post pulse but is delayed from then on. This late effect is more pronounced if pancreatic lobules are preincubated for 60 min in 10(-3) M LaC1(3). Discharge of amylase and newly synthesized proteins is inhibited dose-dependently up to 80% by 10(-3) M LaC1(3). The effects of both cobalt and lanthanum are not due to an inhibition of cellular respiration. Comparison of these results with the inhibitory action of antimycin A between 10(-4) to 10(-8) M concentrations reveals a dose-dependent diminution of the rate of protein synthesis and intracellular transport, while discharge of granules is less energy dependent. The fine structural appearance of pancreatic lobules after 3 hrs incubation in 10(-3) M CoC1(2) is not altered, while in 5X10(-3) and 10(-3) M lanthanum acinar lumina are enlarged and the apical cytoplasm contains large vacuoles. At the highest concentration of lanthanum a flocculent electron dense material is observed apposed to the external lamina of the plasma membrane. The distribution of this material on the membrane is described. Antimycin A leads to cellular changes corresponding to the irreversible inhibition of cellular respiration. It is concluded from the results that cobalt acts on the process of granule formation inside the cell, while lanthanum by its binding to the plasma membrane may alter molecules involved in secretagogue binding and transport systems into the cell.