Presence of calbindin-D 28K in endocrine pancreatic tumoral cells of the RINm5F line.

Calbindin-D 28K expression in insulin-producing tumoral cells of the RINm5F line was assessed by Western-blot and high pressure liquid chromatography. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence in RINm5F cell homogenates of a protein recognized by a specific polyclonal antibody against chick calbindin. Proteins with apparent molecular weights (mol wt) of 44, 47, 56, and 85 kD were also recognized by the antiserum in RINm5F cell extract, but not in normal rat islet extract. HPLC heat-resistant protein extract from RINm5F cell homogenates revealed three calbindin positive peaks: a major peak with a retention time (20.5 min) identical to that found in a rat cerebellar extract and two minor peaks with shorter retention times. The calbindin content of RINm5F cells was apparently unaffected after 9 d culture in a medium supplemented with 10% calf serum pretreated with dextran-charcoal to remove 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.