Shedding of hyaluronate from the cell surface of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chondrocytes

Transformation of cultured chick embryo chondrocytes with Rous sarcoma virus gives rise to increased incorporation of isotopic precursors into hyaluronate and decreased incorporation into chondroitin 6-sulfate. Chemical measurements of these glycosaminoglycans showed corresponding changes. Comparison of the kinetics of production of glycosaminoglycan by normal and Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chondrocytes demonstrated (i) that the rate of accumulation in the medium was similar in both cultures, and (ii) that approximately 50% of total glycosaminoglycan produced by the normal chondrocytes, but only 10% of that from the transformed cells, accumulated in the cell layer. Prelabel-chase experiments indicated that cell surface-associated hyaluronate, as measured by release from the cell layer by trypsin treatment, was shed rapidly into the medium and accounted for all of the hyaluronate which accumulated in the medium. Thus we conclude (i) that accumulation of cell surface-associated glycosaminoglycan is dramatically reduced in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chondrocytes, and (ii) that hyaluronate produced by the transformed chondrocytes is first deposited in the cell-associated extracellular compartment and then rapidly shed into the medium, rather than being secreted directly into the medium.