Efficient export of secretory proteins through a vacuolized Golgi complex

The transport of the secretory proteins fibronectin (FN) and procollagen (PC) was studied in cells infected with the temperature-sensitive mutant ts 12 of Uukuniemi virus. Using pulse-labeling followed by immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE (FN), or by determination of radioactivity incorporated into hydroxyproline (PC) at different time points we could show that the secretion rates for these proteins were normal although the Golgi complex had become vacuolized as a result of infection with the virus. We conclude that such a morphologically altered Golgi can still carry out effective transport of secretory proteins.