Immunoelectron microscopic localization of acidic intracellular compartments in hepatoma cells.

Using protein A-colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy and monospecific antibodies to the weak base primaquine, we have delineated acidic intracellular compartments in the human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. Primaquine specifically accumulated within endocytotic compartments (including CURL vesicles, multivesicular bodies and lysosomes). In addition, the Golgi cisternae were positive. However, the CURL tubules, which contain recycling asialoglycoprotein receptor, did not accumulate primaquine. Thus, there may be a gradient of acidification within the endocytotic pathway.