Intracellular distribution of the Wilson's disease gene product (ATPase7B) after in vitro and in vivo exogenous expression in hepatocytes from the LEC rat, an animal model of Wilson's disease.

In patients with Wilson's disease, both copper incorporation into ceruloplasmin and excretion of this metal into bile are impaired. These conditions are caused by a genetic defect in the Wilson's disease gene (ATP7B). To investigate the Wilson's disease gene protein (ATPase7B) in hepatocytes, we constructed an expression plasmid carrying full-length complementary DNA for human Wilson's disease gene and attempted to express the gene in hepatocytes of LEC rats, an animal model of Wilson's disease. Transfection of hepatocytes, either in vitro or in vivo, was done using a newly developed cationic liposome containing 1,4-bis(3-(N-hexadecyl) aminopropyl) piperazine. Immunological analyses of human ATPase7B with specific monoclonal antibodies showed human ATPase7B to be a membrane protein with a molecular mass of 155 kd. Analysis of human ATPase7B expressed in hepatocytes from LEC rats suggested that this protein is present in the trans-Golgi network and at the plasma membrane, a distribution pattern similar to that of Menkes' disease protein (ATPase7A). These findings suggest that these two putative copper-transporting P-type ATPases function similarly at the cellular level. Cotransfection and coexpression of the human Wilson's disease gene and ceruloplasmin gene in cultured hepatocytes indicate that the distribution of ceruloplasmin is always accompanied by ATPase7B at the perinuclear region, but that part of ATPase7B localizes irrespective of the distribution of ceruloplasmin. Based on these investigations, we propose that ATPase7B exists in the trans-Golgi network and transports copper into this compartment. This seems to ensure an appropriate delivery of copper to the apoceruloplasmin. On the other hand, part of ATPase7B that is not accompanied by ceruloplasmin in the perinuclear region and at the plasma membrane seems to contribute to efflux of this metal from the hepatocytes. Thus the distribution patterns of ATPase7B in hepatocytes may explain the dual roles of this P-type ATPase in hepatocytes.