Cell-permeable ceramides preferentially inhibit coated vesicle formation and exocytosis in Chinese hamster ovary compared with Madin–Darby canine kidney cells by preventing the membrane association of ADP-ribosylation factor

Differential effects of acetyl(C₂-) ceramide (N-acetylsphingosine) were studied on coated vesicle formation from Golgi-enriched membranes of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Madin—Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. C₂-ceramide blocked the translocation of ADP-ribosylation factor-1 (ARF-1) and protein kinase C-α (PKC-α) to the membranes from CHO cells, but not those of MDCK cells. Consequently, C₂-ceramide blocked the stimulation of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) by the cytosol and guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) in membranes from CHO cells. Basal specific activity of PLD1 and the concentration of ARF-1 were 3–4 times higher in Golgi-enriched membranes from MDCK cells compared with CHO cells. Moreover, PLD1 activity in MDCK cells was stimulated less by cytosol and GTP[S]. PLD2 was not detectable in the Golgi-enriched membranes. Incubation of intact CHO cells or their Golgi-enriched membranes with C₂-ceramide also inhibited COP1 vesicle formation by membranes from CHO, but not MDCK, cells. Specificity was demonstrated, since dihydro-C₂-ceramide had no significant effect on ARF-1 translocation, PLD1 activation or vesicle formation in membranes from both cell types. C₂-ceramide also decreased the secretion of virus-like particles to a greater extent in CHO compared with MDCK cells, whereas dihydro-C₂-ceramide had no significant effect. The results demonstrate a biological effect of C₂-ceramide in CHO cells by decreasing ARF-1 and PKC-α binding to Golgi-enriched membranes, thereby preventing COP1 vesicle formation.