Changes in expression of a major sialoglycoprotein associated with ascites forms of a mammary adenocarcinoma

Glycoproteins of a cultured form (MR) of the 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma and its variants have been studied by analyses for peanut agglutinin receptors, [3H]glucosamine labeling, lactoperoxidase labeling and CsCl density gradient centrifugation. The 13762 MR cells, derived from 13762 MAT-B ascites cells, do not contain detectable ASGP-1, the predominant cell surface sialoglycoprotein of the ascites forms of the 13762 tumor. Transplantation and continued passage as ascites cells of MR cells or clonal lines derived from MR results in abrupt expression of ASGP-1 at about passage 16; it is absent in early passages of the ascites tumor. When these ascites cells are transferred to culture, ASGP-1 is again lost. No ASGP-1 is found in solid tumors derived from subcutaneous transplantation of the 13762 MR cells. The results suggest modulation of ASGP-1 content of the 13762 tumor cells.