Brefeldin A arrests the intracellular transport of a precursor of complement C3 before its conversion site in rat hepatocytes.
The effects of brefeldin A on intracellular transport and posttranslational modification of complement C3 (C3) were studied in primary culture of rat hepatocytes. In the control culture C3 was synthesized as a precursor (pro-C3), which was processed to the mature form with alpha- and beta-subunits before its discharge into the medium. In the presence of brefeldin A the secretion of C3 was strongly blocked, resulting in accumulation of pro-C3. However, after a prolonged interval the mature form of C3 was finally secreted. The results indicate that brefeldin A impedes translocation of pro-C3 to the Golgi complex where pro-C3 is converted to the mature form, but not its proteolytic processing, in contrast to the effects of monensin and weakly basic amines.
D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D020126:Brefeldin A; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats
D003176:Complement C3; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D011498:Protein Precursors; D020126:Brefeldin A