Redistribution and internalisation of anti-AH1e (anti-AHP)- and Concanavalin A-binding sites

The redistribution and internalisation of two different lectin-binding sites on the same cell was investigated electron microscopically on unfixed rat liver cell cultures. For these purposes an electron microscopic double labeling technique was used for visualisation of the anti-AHel-binding sites by the gold-labeled lectin and for the demonstration of the Concanavalin A-binding sites by the Concanavalin A-peroxidase technique. From the experiments it was evident that the ligand-induced redistribution of the antiAHel-binding sites effects a rearrangement of the Concanavalin A-binding sites. Both markers were found in a clustered distribution on the cell surface. Following the redistribution an internalisation of both lectin-binding sites could be observed on central and peripheral cell parts. In the lateral cell parts an accumulation of the both markers occurred on the plasma membrane.