Coordinated regulation by iron of the synthesis of two transformation-sensitive membrane proteins in NRK cells.

Studies were designed to characterize the plasma membrane polypeptide composition of normal rat kidney (NRK) and virus-transformed NRK cells as a function of time following iron deprivation. Using this approach we found that rapid depletion of iron from the cells increases the amounts of two membrane-associated glycoproteins of apparent MW 160,000 (160 K) and 130,000 (130 K) in NRK cells. In contrast, virus-transformed NRK cells subjected to iron deprivation showed an altered induction phenomenon manifested by reduced levels of both 160 K and 130 K and altered time-sequence of the induction. Possible relationship of the 160 K and 130 K membrane-associated glycoproteins described in this study to growth control and viral transformation are discussed.