Autophagy, cathepsin L transport, and acidification in cultured rat fibroblasts

The mechanisms of enzyme delivery to and acidification of early autophagic vacuoles in cultured fibroblasts were elucidated by cryoimmunoelectron microscopic methods. The cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (MPR) was used as a marker of the pre-lysosomal compartment, and cathepsin L and an acidotropic amine (3-(2,4-dinitroanilino)-3'-amino-N-methyl-dipropylamine (DAMP), a cytochemical probe for low-pH organelles) as markers of both pre-lysosomal and lysosomal compartments. In addition, cationized ferritin was used as an endocytic marker. In ultrastructural double labeling experiments, the bulk of all the antigens was found in vesicles containing tightly packed membrane material. These vesicles also contained small amounts of endocytosed ferritin and probably correspond to the MPR-enriched pre-lysosomal compartment. Some immunolabeling was also visible in the trans-Golgi network. In addition, cathepsin L, DAMP, and large amounts of ferritin were found in smaller vesicles which can be classified as mature lysosomes. Early autophagic vacuoles were defined as vesicles containing recognizable cytoplasm. MPR, cathepsin L, and DAMP, but not ferritin, were detected in the early vacuoles. Inhibition of the acidification in the early vacuoles by monensin did not prevent the delivery of MPR and cathepsin L. The presence of MPR in the vacuoles suggests that cathepsin L is not delivered to early autophagic vacuoles solely by fusion with mature, MPR-deficient lysosomes. Furthermore, although lysosomes were loaded with endocytosed ferritin, it was not detected in autophagic vacuoles. Either the trans-Golgi network or the MPR-enriched pre-lysosomes may be the main source of enzymes and acidification machinery for the autophagic vacuoles in fibroblasts.