Role of plasma membranes in the glucocorticoid transfer into target cells

: The [3H]hydrocortisone transfer into intact target cells and into non-target cells, e. g. isolated hepatocytes, hormone-sensitive Morris hepatoma 7777 cells, hormone-resistant Zajdela ascite hepatoma cells, was studied. In target cells the glucocorticoid transfer is temperature-dependent, i. e. the curve for hormone binding by the cells at increasing concentrations shows a plateau Phospholipase A2 and neuraminidase decrease the ability of the cells to incorporate the labelled hormone. The experimental data differ significantly from those obtained for target cell cytosol and for intact Zajdela hepatoma cells. It was assumed that in target cells the crucial role in hormone transfer into the cells belongs to plasma membranes, while in non-target cells the hormone penetrates inside the cells by passive diffusion.