Alteration of plasma membrane glycopeptides and gangliosides of Chinese hamster cells accompanying development of resistance to daunorubicin and vincristine

Glycoproteins and gangliosides of spontaneously transformed Chinese hamster lung cells (DC-3F) and of vincristine- and daunorubinic-resistant sublines of DC-3F have been compared. These resistant cells and also actinomycin D-resistant cells have been shown to have reduced permeability to drug and to exhibit some degree of mutual cross-resistance to all three agents. Membrane glycoprotein and ganglioside changes in the drug-resistance cells are concomitants of the development of resistance to vincristine, daunorubicin, or actinomycin D. The changes are also correlated with the previously observed alterations in cell morphology and the suppression of the malignant phenotype occurring in the cells selected for resistance to these drugs.