Soluble Lysosomal Enzymes Research Articles

A novel mutation in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase gamma subunit (GNPTAG) in two siblings with mucolipidosis type III alters a used glycosylation site

The N-acetylglucosaminyl-1-phosphotransferase (termed phosphotransferase) catalyzes the initial step in the formation of mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) residues required for the efficient transport of soluble lysosomal enzymes. The phosphotransferase is a multisubunit enzyme composed of three subunits (alpha2beta2gamma2) that are products of two genes. The gene encoding the gamma-subunit (GNPTAG) appears to be defective in patients with mucolipidosis type III (ML III). We have analyzed the GNPTAG gene in two siblings with ML III showing elevated activities of several lysosomal enzymes in cultured fibroblasts serum and diminished activities in cultured fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cathepsin D (CtsD) from fibroblasts revealed that the sorting/transport of this lysosomal protease was affected. Addition of ammonium chloride inhibiting pH-dependent processes, such as the CtsD-M6P receptor interaction, indicated that 15 to 20% of the newly synthesized CtsD is transported in ML III fibroblasts in an M6P-dependent manner. By direct sequencing a novel homozygous mutation, c.347_349delACA (p.Asn116del), was identified affecting a potential N-linked glycosylation site. Western blot analysis of extracts from control fibroblasts detect a 97 kDa glycosylated dimer whereas ML III cells contain a GNPTAG dimer of reduced molecular mass. These data suggest that the loss of the used glycosylation site in the gamma subunit may affect the intracellular localization of GNPTAG and the overall efficiency of M6P formation.

Calcium entry into keratinocytes induces exocytosis of lysosomes.

During the final steps of epidermal differentiation, extracellular calcium ions enter keratinocytes and induce transglutaminase activity and cornified envelope formation. In other cell types, entry of calcium mediated by ionophores has been reported to induce exocytosis of lysosomes. In this study, we investigated whether lysosomes of keratinocytes might exhibit a similar behaviour. Ionomycin treatment induced cornified envelope formation in keratinocytes, but also morphological changes including plasma membrane blebbing, although no immediate alteration in cell viability could be detected. The activity of the soluble lysosomal enzymes cathepsin C and beta-galactosidase in the culture medium was increased upon ionomycin treatment. Cell leakage did not seem to be responsible for this phenomenon, as suggested by measurements of the cytosolic enzymes adenylate kinase and dipeptidylpeptidase III in the culture medium. Metabolic labelling followed by immunoprecipitation showed that ionomycin induced release of cathepsin D into the culture medium. Simultaneously, lysosome-associated membrane proteins (Lamps) 1 and 2 were detected at the cell surface of ionomycin-treated keratinocytes by biochemical and morphological approaches. These results suggest that upon ionomycin treatment, calcium entry stimulates exocytosis of lysosomes in keratinocytes.

230. Neural Progenitor Cell Transduction with AAV Serotypes 1 and 4

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and the ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are devastating childhood onset diseases. Some forms of MPS and all NCLs have a severe CNS component. MPS VII, or beta-glucuronidase deficiency, and late-infantile NCL, or tripeptidyl protease deficiency are due to mutations in mRNAs encoding soluble lysosomal enzymes. Prior work in our laboratory and others' demonstrated that overexpression of beta-glucurondiase or TPP-1 from transduced cells in brain can lead to enzyme activity in non-transduced cells remote from the injection site, and improvements in cellular pathology and behavioral deficits. This occurs through a process called cross-correction. We hypothesized that cross-correction could also occur from gene-corrected endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Transduction of endogenous NPCs with virus expressing beta-glucuronidase or TPP-1 may allow enzyme secretion at several sites: 1) in the SVZ (with enzyme secreted into the ventricular system); 2) during migration through the corpus callosum (with enzyme secreted along the extensive white matter tracts of the corpus callosum); and 3) from differentiated neurons in the olfactory bulb (OB). We tested AAV1 and AAV4 for their ability to target endogenous neural progenitors. AAV4 vector injected unilateral into the lateral ventricle of adult or P0 C57BL/6 mice resulted in highly specific transduction of ependymal cells along the ventricular wall. Only scattered transgene positive cells were observed in the rostral migratory stream (RMS) and olfactory bulb in tissues harvested from several days to 8 weeks after gene transfer, regardless of injection time. Transgene positive cells did not express neuronal cell marker, indicating that NPCs were not a major target of AAV4 transduction in vivo. In contrast to AAV4, transgene positive migrating neuroblasts and olfactory bulb neurons were obvious after unilateral intraventricular injection of AAV1. However, numbers remained too few to consider AAV1-transduced NPCs as a significant source of recombinant lysosomal enzymes. Thus, transduction of endogenous NPCs with AAV4 does not occur, and with AAV1 is limited, preclude the use of these vectors for therapeutic application via NPCs.

The intracellular location and function of proteins of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are a group of diseases characterized by accumulation of hydrophobic proteins in lysosomes of neurons and other types of cells. NCLs are caused by at least 8 mutant genes (CLN1-CLN8), though CLN4 and CLN7 have not yet been identified. Except for Cln1p, the protein encoded by CLN1, the defective proteins are associated with lysosomal accumulation of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit c. Cln1p and Cln2p are soluble lysosomal enzymes, targeted to lysosomes in a mannose 6-phosphate dependent manner. Mutations in the lysosomal protease cathepsin D cause another NCL. Cln3p, Cln5p, Cln6p and Cln8p are thought to be transmembrane proteins. Cln3p and Cln5p are localized in the endosome-lysosomal compartment. Deficiency of endosomal membrane protein CLC-3, a member of the chloride channel family, causes NCL-like phenotype and lysosomal storage of subunit c. Herein, we review the features of NCL and NCL-related proteins and discuss the involvement of the proteins in lysosomal degradation of subunit c.

Changing directions: clathrin-mediated transport between the Golgi and endosomes

Clathrin-coated vesicles mediate transport between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and endosomes. In recent years there has been tremendous progress in identifying factors involved in anterograde and retrograde transport steps. The well-characterised heterotetrameric clathrin adaptor complex AP-1 has long been thought to mediate anterograde transport from the TGN to endosomes. However, recent studies of AP-1-knockout mice implicate AP-1 in retrograde as well as anterograde transport. The recently identified Golgi-associated, gamma-ear-containing, ARF-binding (GGA) proteins share functional similarities with tetrameric adaptor complexes and are essential for anterograde transport of mannose-6-phosphate receptors, the sorting receptors for soluble lysosomal enzymes. To date, it is not clear whether GGAs and AP-1 mediate transport in different directions, act in parallel pathways, or cooperate in the same transport steps. Recent data have shed light on the locations, functions and interactions of AP-1 and GGA proteins. These data provide support for the role of both in anterograde transport from the Golgi complex.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses caused by defects in soluble lysosomal enzymes (CLN1 and CLN2).

Infantile and classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are two recent additions to the expanding spectrum of lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiencies in lysosomal hydrolases. They are latecomers to the lysosomal storage disorders, probably because of the heterogeneous nature of the storage material, which precluded meaningful biochemical analysis. Infantile NCL is caused by deficiency in palmitoyl-protein thioesterase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes fatty acids from cysteine residues in lipid-modified proteins. Classical late-infantile NCL is caused by a deficiency in tripeptidyl amino peptidase-I, a lysosomal peptidase that removes three amino acids from the free amino terminus of peptides or small proteins. Late-onset forms of these disorders have been described. The clinical, biochemical, and molecular genetic aspects of these two latest lysosomal storage disorders are discussed in this review. In addition, approaches to treatment and future directions for research are examined.

Recombinant human adenovirus: targeting to the human transferrin receptor improves gene transfer to brain microcapillary endothelium.

Some inborn errors of metabolism due to deficiencies of soluble lysosomal enzymes cause global neurodegenerative disease. Representative examples include the infantile and late infantile forms of the ceroid lipofuscinoses (CLN1 or CLN2 deficiency, respectively) and mucopolysaccharidoses type VII (MPS VII), a deficiency of beta-glucuronidase. Treatment of the central nervous system component of these disorders will require widespread protein or enzyme replacement, either through dissemination of the protein or through dissemination of a gene encoding it. We hypothesize that transduction of brain microcapillary endothelium (BME) with recombinant viral vectors, with secretion of enzyme product basolaterally, could allow for widespread enzyme dissemination. To achieve this, viruses should be modified to target the BME. This requires (i) identification of a BME-resident target receptor, (ii) identification of motifs targeted to that molecule, (iii) the construction of modified viruses to allow for binding to the target receptor, and (iv) demonstrated transduction of receptor-expressing cells. In proof of principal experiments, we chose the human transferrin receptor (hTfR), a molecule found at high density on human BME. A nonamer phage display library was panned for motifs which could bind hTfR. Forty-three clones were sequenced, most of which contained an AKxxK/R, KxKxPK/R, or KxK motif. Ten peptides representative of the three motifs were cloned into the HI loop of adenovirus type 5 fiber. All motifs tested retained their ability to trimerize and bind transferrin receptor, and seven allowed for recombinant adenovirus production. Importantly, the fiber-modified viruses facilitated increased gene transfer (2- to 34-fold) to hTfR expressing cell lines and human brain microcapillary endothelia expressing high levels of endogenous receptor. Our data indicate that adenoviruses can be modified in the HI loop for expanded tropism to the hTfR.

A mutation in the ovine cathepsin D gene causes a congenital lysosomal storage disease with profound neurodegeneration.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) constitute a group of neurodegenerative storage diseases characterized by progressive psychomotor retardation, blindness and premature death. Pathologically, there is accumulation of autofluorescent material in lysosome-derived organelles in a variety of cell types, but neurons in the central nervous system appear to be selectively affected and undergo progressive death. In this report we show that a novel form of NCL, congenital ovine NCL, is caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal aspartyl proteinase cathepsin D. A single nucleotide mutation in the cathepsin D gene results in conversion of an active site aspartate to asparagine, leading to production of an enzymatically inactive but stable protein. This results in severe cerebrocortical atrophy and early death, providing strong evidence for an important role of cathepsin D in neuronal development and/or homeostasis.

Subcellular Localization of Mannose 6-Phosphate Glycoproteins in Rat Brain

The intracellular transport of soluble lysosomal enzymes relies on the post-translational modification of N-linked oligosaccharides to generate mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) residues. In most cell types the Man 6-P signal is rapidly removed after targeting of the precursor proteins from the Golgi to lysosomes via interactions with Man 6-phosphate receptors. However, in brain, the steady state proportion of lysosomal enzymes containing Man 6-P is considerably higher than in other tissues. As a first step toward understanding the mechanism and biological significance of this observation, we analyzed the subcellular localization of the rat brain Man 6-P glycoproteins by combining biochemical and morphological approaches. The brain Man 6-P glycoproteins are predominantly localized in neuronal lysosomes with no evidence for a steady state localization in nonlysosomal or prelysosomal compartments. This contrasts with the clear endosome-like localization of the low steady state proportion of mannose-6-phosphorylated lysosomal enzymes in liver. It therefore seems likely that the observed high percentage of phosphorylated species in brain is a consequence of the accumulation of lysosomal enzymes in a neuronal lysosome that does not fully dephosphorylate the Man 6-P moieties.

Interaction of Arylsulfatase A with UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine:Lysosomal Enzyme-N-Acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase

The critical step in lysosomal targeting of soluble lysosomal enzymes is the recognition by an UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:lysosomal enzyme-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. The structure of the determinant common to all lysosomal enzymes for proper recognition by the phosphotransferase is not completely understood. Our current knowledge is largely based on the introduction of targeted amino acid substitutions into lysosomal enzymes and analysis of their effects on phosphotransferase recognition. We have investigated the effect of eight anti-arylsulfatase A monoclonal antibodies on the interaction of arylsulfatase A with the lysosomal enzyme phosphotransferase in vitro. We also show that a lysine-rich surface area of arylsulfatases A and B is essential for proper recognition by the phosphotransferase. Monoclonal antibodies bind to at least six different epitopes at different locations on the surface of arylsulfatase A. All antibodies bind outside the lysine-rich recognition area, but nevertheless Fab fragments of these antibodies prevent interaction of arylsulfatase A with the phosphotransferase. Our data support a model in which binding of arylsulfatase A to the phosphotransferase is not restricted to a limited surface area but involves the simultaneous recognition of large parts of arylsulfatase A.

Identification of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase-binding sites on the lysosomal proteases, cathepsins A, B, and D.

A key step in the targeting of soluble lysosomal enzymes is their recognition and phosphorylation by a 540 kDa multisubunit enzyme, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase (phosphotransferase). The molecular mechanism of recognition is still unknown, but previous experiments suggested that the phosphotransferase-binding sites on lysosomal proteins are represented by structurally conserved surface patches of amino acids. We identified four such regions on nonhomologous lysosomal enzymes, cathepsins A, B, and D, which were superimposed by rotating their structures around the Calpha atom of the glycosylated Asn residue. We proposed that these regions represent putative phosphotransferase-binding sites and tested synthetic peptides, derived from these regions on the basis of surface accessibility, for their ability to inhibit in vitro phosphorylation of purified cathepsins A, B, and D. Our results indicate that cathepsin A and cathepsin D have one closely related phosphotransferase recognition site represented by a structurally and topologically conserved beta-hairpin loop, similar to that previously identified in lysosomal beta-glucuronidase. The most potent inhibition of phosphorylation was demonstrated by homologous peptides derived from the regions located on cathepsin molecules opposite the oligosaccharide chains which are phosphorylated by the phosphotransferase. We propose that recognition and catalytic sites of the phosphotransferase are located on different subunits, therefore, providing an effective mechanism for binding and phosphorylation of lysosomal proteins of different molecular size.

Protein transport from the secretory to the endocytic pathway in mammalian cells

The trans-Golgi network (TGN) is the last station of the secretory pathway where soluble and membrane proteins are sorted for subsequent transport to endocytic compartments. This pathway is primarily followed by two distinct but related mannose 6-phosphate receptors which exhibit complementary functions in soluble lysosomal enzyme targeting. These transmembrane proteins and their bound ligands are packaged in transport intermediates coated with clathrin and the AP-1 assembly complex. Their segregation is determined by the interaction of tyrosine- and di-leucine-based sorting determinants present in their cytoplasmic domains with AP-1. Other membrane proteins such as the lysosomal membrane glycoproteins or envelope glycoproteins of herpes viruses, which contain similar sorting signals, may also follow the same pathway. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to membrane protein sorting in the TGN and the formation of AP-1-coated transport intermediates.

Iodination of mature cathepsin D in thyrocytes as an indicator for its transport to the cell surface

Thyrocytes are known for their ability to iodinate thyroglobulin from which the thyroid hormones are generated. In the intact thyroid gland the iodination process is almost exclusively executed at the apical plasma membrane of thyroid epithelial cells. Here, we show that freshly isolated thyrocytes iodinated polypeptides other than thyroglobulin and that one of the major iodinated polypeptides was the mature form of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D (CD). The detection of mature CD as an iodinated polypeptide suggested that a fraction of the lysosomally maturated enzyme was delivered to the apical plasma membrane where it became available for iodination. After labeling of thyrocytes with [ 35S]methionine/cysteine overnight part of the mature CD was released into the culture medium. This was abolished by inhibiting maturation of CD with NH 4Cl, indicating that mature CD appeared in the medium after its proteolytic maturation in an acidic compartment. Besides CD other soluble lysosomal polypeptides like the β-N-acetylhexosaminidase and the sphingolipid-activating protein D (Sap D) were iodinated and partially secreted as mature polypeptides. In contrast, the membrane-associated lysosomal ceramidase was iodinated and partially secreted as immature single-chain enzyme and not as fully maturated two-chain enzyme. These data indicate that a portion of mature CD and other soluble lysosomal enzymes is delivered from lysosomes to the cell surface whereas some membrane-associated enzymes from the terminal lysosomel compartment are efficiently excluded from this process.

A membrane protein primarily associated with the lysosomal compartment

A monoclonal antibody designated MBR 39 has been generated against a membrane associated protein found selectively on lysosomes. MBR 39 reacts with the cytosolic face of the lysosome and was used to develop an organelle binding assay which reacted with high density organelles characteristic of lysosomes. These organelles contained lysosomal enzyme markers which included the integral membrane protein acetyl-CoA: α-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase and the soluble lysosomal enzyme markers acid phosphatase (mature form), β-hexosaminidase, arylsulfatase, and α- l-iduronidase. Under conditions which disrupt lysosomes the release of the latter soluble lysosomal enzymes was demonstrated from MBR 39 bound organelles. Immunoblots of MBR 39 with purified fibroblast lysosomal membrane, demonstrated reactivity with polypeptides of molecular mass 63 kDa (major species) and 73 kDa (minor species).

Functional characterization of the N-glycosylation sites of human acid sphingomyelinase by site-directed mutagenesis.

Most soluble lysosomal enzymes require a mannose-6-phosphate recognition marker present on asparagine-linked oligosaccharides for proper targeting to lysosomes. We have determined the influence of the six potential N-linked oligosaccharide chains of human acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) on catalytic activity, targeting, and processing of the enzyme. Each N-glycosylation site was modified by site-directed mutagenesis and subsequently expressed in COS-1 cells. Evidence is presented that five of these sites are used. Elimination of the four N-terminal glycosylation sites does not disturb lysosomal targeting, processing, or enzymatic activity. However, removal of the two C-terminal N-glycosylation sites inhibits the formation of mature enzyme. Absence of glycosylation site five resulted in rapid cleavage of the primary translation product to an enzymatically inactive protein which accumulated inside the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi, whereas deletion of glycosylation site six led to the formation of an inactive ASM precursor, also retained inside the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi. Our results also provide evidence that the site of early proteolytic cleavage of newly synthesized ASM must be located between the second and third glycosylation sites.

Plasma hyaluronidase activity in mucolipidoses II and III: marked differences from other lysosomal enzymes.

A nearly pathognomonic finding of the lysosomal storage disorders mucolipidoses II and III is the marked increase of plasma lysosomal enzyme activities. The genetic lesion in ML II and III causes defective function of the enzyme UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. Defective function of this enzyme results in deficient phosphorylation of lysosomal enzyme asparagine-linked oligosaccharides and a consequent misrouting of many newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes. These enzymes are secreted from cells instead of being targeted to lysosomes, with resultant marked elevations of multiple lysosomal enzyme activities in plasma. We report here that plasma hyaluronidase activity, an endoglycosidase of presumably lysosomal origin, is not increased in the plasma from individuals with mucolipidoses II and III, unlike most lysosomal enzymes. Our data suggest the possibility that hyaluronidase is not targeted to lysosomes by a lysosomal enzyme phosphosmannosyl recognition mechanism. Alternatively, hyaluronidase activity may not be present in the cell type(s) responsible for the lysosomal enzyme hypersecretion in mucolipidoses II and III which, along with its deficiency in fibroblasts and leukocytes, would constitute an unusual tissue distribution of activity for a soluble lysosomal enzyme.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of 6-acylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl-β- d-glucosides: identification of a novel human acid β-glucosidase

Fluorogenic 6-acylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl-β- d-glucosides were found to be poor substrates for the three known human β-gluco-sidases, i.e., lysosomal and non-lysosomal glucocerebrosidases and cytosolic broad-specificity β-glucosidase. However, homogenates of human tissues and human cell types showed significant enzymatic hydrolysis of 6-ethanoylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl-β- d-glucoside (EMGlc) due to the activity of a hitherto undescribed β-glucosidase, called here EMGlc-ase. It was shown that the isozyme is hardly active towards 4-methylumbelliferyl-β- d-glucoside or glucosylceramide. EMGlc-ase exhibits maximal activity at 4.5 and 5.0 in the absence and presence of sodium taurocholate respectively. It is a soluble lysosomal enzyme with a discrete isoelectric point of about 5.0. EMGlc-ase is not inhibited by conduritol 13-epoxide, is activated by sodium taurocholate and binds strongly to Concanavalin A. This enzyme is not deficient in relation to Gaucher disease.

Re-expression of the Mannose 6-Phosphate Receptors in Receptor-deficient Fibroblasts: COMPLEMENTARY FUNCTION OF THE TWO MANNOSE 6-PHOSPHATE RECEPTORS IN LYSOSOMAL ENZYME TARGETING

We have previously generated primary embryonic fibroblasts lacking either the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (MPR) or the cation-dependent MPR, two trans-membrane proteins that bind the mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) recognition marker on soluble lysosomal enzymes (Ludwig, T., Munier-Lehmann, H., Bauer, U., Hollinshead, M., Ovitt, C., Lobel, P., and Hoflack, B.(1994) EMBO J. 13, 3430-3437). These two cell types partially missort phosphorylated lysosomal enzymes. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we show here that they secrete, in a large part, different phosphorylated ligands. In order to better understand the sorting function of the MPRs, we have re-expressed each MPR in MPR-negative fibroblasts. We show that the MPRs have similar capacities for transporting the bulk of the newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes and that they target individual ligands with various efficiencies. However, high levels of one MPR do not fully compensate for the absence of the other, demonstrating that the two MPRs have complementary targeting functions, perhaps by recognizing different features on lysosomal enzymes. The analysis of the phosphorylated oligosaccharides shows that the ligands missorted in the absence of the cation-dependent MPR are slightly but significantly depleted in oligosaccharides with two Man-6-P residues, when compared with those missorted in the absence of the cation-independent MPR. While these results could explain some differences between the structure and the sorting function of the two MPRs, they strongly suggest that the reason why cells express two different but related MPRs is to maintain an efficient Man-6-P-dependent targeting process that could be potentially regulated by MPR expression.

Localization and Processing of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Cathepsin D

We have investigated the effect of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor on the distribution of the soluble lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D. Only 10% of the chimeric protein (CD-GPI) could be detected on the plasma membrane after transfection in CHO cells. Similarly to endogenous cathepsin D, intracellular CD-GPI was detected in vesicular structures, suggesting that CD-GPI is targeted to lysosomes. CD-GPI is present as three forms with Mr 55, 50 and 37 kD which could correspond to the precursor, intermediate and mature forms of cathepsin D, respectively. CD-GPI was shown to be GPI anchored by differential extractability with Triton X-114 before and after phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C hydrolysis. Intracellular CD-GPI is mainly substituted with oligosaccharides containing uncovered mannose 6-phosphate residues whereas these residues are covered in the cell surface precursor form of CD-GPI. Ammoniun chloride treatment reduces the lysosomal delivery of CD-GPI and increases the cell surface expression of its precursor form.

Comparison of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium invasion, intracellular growth and localization in cultured human epithelial cells

Invasion of the cultured epithelial cell lines HeLa, Henle-407, and Caco-2 (polarized and non-polarized) by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium were compared using conventional gentamicin invasion assays. Additionally, the mechanisms of invasion and intracellular trafficking by S. typhi and S. typhimurium were compared in HeLa cells using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. S. typhi strain Ty2 was invasive in all human cell lines tested, including apical uptake into polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers. This strain also replicated at levels similar to S. typhimurium strain SL1344 inside HeLa and Henle-407 cells. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that S. typhi, like S. typhimurium, induced membrane ruffles and cytoskeletal rearrangements upon contact with HeLa cell surfaces. Ruffling induced by S. typhi and S. typhimurium was accompanied by macropinocytosis of the fluid phase endocytic marker fluorescein-dextran-sulphate and by aggregation of cell surface class I MHC heavy chain. Intracellular lysosomal trafficking of S. typhi and S. typhimurium in HeLa cells was also studied. The lysosomal membrane glycoprotein marker h-lamp-2 colocalized with S. typhi-containing vacuoles, as previously shown for S. typhimurium. The soluble lysosomal enzyme marker cathepsin D also was found within S. typhi-containing vacuoles to the same extent as previously published for S. typhimurium . The results from this study suggest that S. typhi and S. typhimurium use similar mechanisms for invasion and intracellular trafficking in cultured human epithelial cells.