Ultrastructural localization of the mannose 6-phosphate receptor in rat liver.

Abstract

An affinity-purified rabbit antibody against rat liver mannose 6-phosphate receptor (MP-R) was prepared. The antibody was directed against a 215 kd[kilodalton]-polypeptide and it recognized both ligand-occupied and free receptor. Anti-MP-R was used for immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy of cryosections from rat liver. MP-R was demonstrated in all parenchymal liver cells, but not in endothelial lining cells. MP-R labeling was found at the entire plasma membrane, in coated pits and coated vesicles, in the compartment of uncoupling receptor and ligand [CURL], and in the Golgi complex. Lysosomes showed only scarce MP-R label. In double-labeling immunoelectron microscopy, MP-R co-localized with albumin in the Golgi cisternae and in secretory vesicles with lipoprotein particles. Cathepsin D was associated with MP-R in the Golgi cisternae. This finding indicates that MP-R/cathepsin D complexes traverse the Golgi complex on their way to the lysosomes. The possible involvement of CURL in lysosomal enzyme targeting is discussed.