Cellular handling of the unoccupied and agonist-stimulated cholecystokinin receptor determined by immunolocalization. Fischer, Carlos, De Toledo, Belinda F. Roettger, Corinna Morys -Wortmann, Wolfgang E. Schmidt, Laurence J. Miller. Center for Basic Research in Digestive Diseases, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, Max-Planck-Institut F[umlaut]ur Experimentelle Medizin, Abteilung Immunchemie, D-37075 G[diaeresis]ottingen, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, Germany and Labor fur Molekulare Gastroenterologie, I. Medizinische Klinik der CAU Kiel, D -24105 Kiel, Germany
APStracts 3:0184G, 1996.
Cellular handling of receptor molecules is an important mechanism for the regulation of appropriately-sensitive hormone-stimulated signalling. Until now, our understanding of the cellular handling of the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor has been largely limited to following a tagged ligand through the cell. In the present work, we report the application of unique CCK receptor antisera directed toward intracellular domains which permitted the immunolocalization of this molecule independent of its occupation with ligand. These were also useful in western blotting and immunoprecipitation of this receptor. Unstimulated CCK receptors remained on the surface of both recombinant receptor-bearing CHO-CCKR cells and native rat pancreatic acinar cells, and did not constitutively internalize. Agonist stimulation of the CHO-CCKR cells resulted in the prompt internalization of a subset of surface receptors, representing those which were occupied with ligand. Unoccupied receptors remained on the surface, uninfluenced by the stimulated signalling pathways. Consistent with this, CCK receptor phosphorylation induced by 12-O -tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate treatment did not stimulate receptor internalization. After internalization, substantial receptor recycling to the plasma membrane was observed. These insights provide the first evidence that CCK receptor internalization occurs as a direct result of an induced conformational change and presumed bimolecular interaction, rather than as an effect of a signalling event.

Received 16 April 1996; accepted in final form 13 September 1996.
APS Manuscript Number G139-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 7 October 1996