INTRACELLULAR SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN AND FIBRINOGEN WITHOUT SECRETION BY ZAJDELA RAT ASCITES HEPATOMA-CELLS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (9) , 3203-3206
Abstract
Transplantable Zajdela rat ascites hepatoma cells, previously considered nonproducers, synthesize detectable amounts of intracellular .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP) and fibrinogen, but fail to secrete or release these serum proteins. Evidence for defective secretory mechanisms for serum proteins in these hepatoma cells explains the failure to detect AFP in the serum or ascitic fluid of rats bearing this hepatoma; indicates that some hepatoma cells should be classified as nonsecretors, rather than nonproducers of AFP and suggests that failure to detect AFP in some human and animal hepatomas in vivo and in vitro may also reflect failure of secretion rather than failure of intracellular synthesis.