GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN SYNTHESIS BY SUB-POPULATIONS OF EPITHELIAL-CELLS FROM A MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (6) , 2207-2210
Abstract
Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by 2 subpopulations of a mouse mammary tumor cell line [WAZ-2T] was compared. The 2 sublines express distinctly different growth characteristics in vitro and in vivo which indicate differences in growth regulation. Newly made glycosaminoglycans were recovered from the culture media, the cell surfaces and residual cellular material. The cell population which grows more aggressively in vivo (+SA subline, a subline that grows in soft agarose) incorporates .apprx. 8 times more [14C]glucosamine per cell into total glycosaminoglycans than did the slower-growing population (-SA subline, which does not grow in soft agarose). Appropriate control experiments indicated that the apparent difference in rates of synthesis was not due to discrepancies in glucosamine uptake. The main residual cellular molecule labeled was heparin sulfate, but the predominant molecule at the cell surface and in the culture fluid was hyaluronic acid. Overall, +SA cells synthesized more hyaluronic acid and -SA cells synthesized more heparan sulfate; in both cell populations, these 2 molecules accounted for .apprx. 90% of total glycosaminoglycans produced.