Turnover and compartmentation of gp70/p15 E in psi 2 cells

The distribution of Moloney murine leukemia virus gp70/p15 E between cell surface and intracellular compartments and the kinetics of transfer between these compartments was examined in psi 2 cells. A novel biotin derivatization and recovery assay was used to quantitate pulse-labeled protein accessible at 4 degrees C (cell surface), 18 degrees C (cell surface and an intracellular compartment), or inaccessible at any temperature. Cell surface (4 degrees C) gp70 and p15 E turn over more rapidly than intracellular pools of these proteins. The decrease in cell surface gp70 and p15 E after one hour of chase is accounted for by an increase in that which is inaccessible to biotinyl reagent.