Differential expression of alkaline phosphatase and ATPase activities in human colon carcinoma cell line HT-29.18 during differentiation.

The expression and cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase and Na+-pump sites were investigated in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29.18 during differentiation. In the undifferentiated state, HT-29.18 cells expressed ATPase activity on plasma membrane whereas they displayed no alkaline phosphatase activity. In differentiated HT-29.18 cells, strong alkaline phosphatase activity was present on the apical membrane, whereas ATPase activity was restricted to the basolateral membrane. Intra- and intercellular lumina (cysts) observed in undifferentiated cells were devoid of both enzyme activities. In differentiated cells, cysts bearing well developed microvilli were strongly positive for alkaline phosphatase activity, while this activity seemed to be lacking in cysts without microvilli. ATPase activity was not found in either type of structure. Finally, HT-29.18 differentiated cells expressed, at pH 9.0, a p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity six-fold greater than that of undifferentiated cells.