Lysosomal Enzyme Release by Vitamin A in L1210 Leukemia Cells 2

Abstract

L210 lymphocytic leukemia cells in culture were treated with vitamin A alcohol. The maximum rate of vitamin A uptake occurred through 30 minutes' incubation. Release of lysosomal hydrolases by the vitamin was dose and time dependent, and the shift to unsedimentable activities peaked at ≈4 hours of incubation. The interval between maximum uptake and the peak of hydrolase release was considered the time required for structural or functional alterations responsible for the release phenomenon. Autoradiographic studies with labeled vitamin A showed incorporation into many cell structures, including mitochondria, Golgi, and nuclei, which suggests that sublethal and lethal damage induced by the vitamin in these cells alter these structures.