Second messenger modulation of the asialoglycoprotein receptor

Post-transcriptional regulation of the asialoglyco-protein receptor (ASGR) in the HepG2 cell line can be mediated by the presence of biotin in the culture medium. To determine if the induction by biotin of intracellular cGMP affects ASGR expression, HepG2 were grown in biotin-depleted medium with the cell-permeant 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP). Both cell-surface and total ASGR binding of iodinated asialoorosomucoid (125I-ASOR) was increased from 30 to 95% of control levels by the addition of increasing concentrations of 8-Br-cGMP. The rate of ASGR-mediated endocytosis of 125I-ASOR also increased with increasing concentrations of 8-Br-cGMP. Estimates of the steady state levels of ASGR by transblot analysis utilizing both antisera to affinity-purified ASGR and to isoform-specific antibodies prepared against synthetic peptides confirmed that the increase in 125I-ASOR binding was due to an increase in ASGR expression. Metabolic labeling of biotin-deprived HepG2 with [35S] cysteine and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of immunoprecipitants revealed an increase of radiolabeled ASGR within 30 min of the addition of 8-Br-cGMP. Induction of cGMP by atrial natriuretic factor also increased the metabolic labeling of ASGR. ASGR expression in a second hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HuH-7, responded in a similar fashion to the addition of 8-Br-cGMP. In contrast to 8-Br-cGMP, exposure to 8-bromo-cAMP results in a reduction of ASGR expression even in the presence of biotin-containing medium. The antagonistic roles of cGMP and cAMP suggest a balance between cyclic nucleotides is required for the maintenance of differentiated functions by the hepatocyte.