Electron microscopic evidence for endocytosis of superoxide dismutase by hepatocytes using protein-gold adducts.

Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase, an intracellular, carbohydrate-free protein, was found to bind to hepatocytes and endothelial cells by electron microscopy of liver treated with enzyme-gold conjugates. In cultured hepatocytes, the free enzyme, but not bovine serum albumin, competed for the binding, and at 37 degrees C, the gold-protein complexes were internalized in a typical process of receptor-mediated endocytosis.