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The imino sugar, N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, is an inhibitor of the glycoprotein-processing enzyme glucosidase I and exhibits anti-(human immunodeficiency virus) activity in vitro. We have investigated the effect(s) of this compound on cell-surface glycoproteins by flow cytometry. We observed selective modulation of the transferrin receptor in response to treatment with 0.5 mM N-butyldeoxynojirimycin resulting in reduced cell-surface transferrin-receptor expression. The receptor modulation was dose dependent, resulted in reduced 59Fe uptake by treated cells and was fully reversible within 24 h of culture in the absence of the compound. Pulse/chase analysis in conjunction with endoglycosidase-H digestion demonstrated that transferrin-receptor glycosylation was altered following N-butyldeoxynojirimycin treatment, which is compatible with glucosidase inhibition. In addition, modulation of transferrin receptor in response to N-butyldeoxynojirimycin was not confined to a single cell line, but was also observed with certain human lymphoid and myeloid cell lines. Mechanism(s) of action of the imino sugar resulting in reduced cell-surface transferrin-receptor expression are discussed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1432-1033.1992.tb17173.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Biochem

Publication Date

15/08/1992

Volume

208

Pages

187 - 193

Keywords

1-Deoxynojirimycin, Antiviral Agents, Cell Line, Cell Membrane, Glucosamine, Glycoside Hydrolases, HIV, Humans, Kinetics, Receptors, Transferrin, Transferrin