The specificity of IgE binding to a human basophil-like cell line (KU812) was studied by flow cytometry. Four IgE myeloma proteins, representing both light-chain types, one chimeric IgE protein, and polyclonal serum IgE blocked the direct binding of FITC-labeled IgE(DES) myeloma protein to KU812 cells in a dose-dependent and nearly equimolar way. Although not as efficiently as human IgE (from five to eight times less on a molar basis), both rat and mouse IgE blocked IgE(DES)-FITC binding to KU812 cells. In sharp contrast, all four human IgG subclasses, both IgA subclasses, and IgM myeloma proteins, as well as monomeric and heat-aggregated polyclonal human IgG, were unable to block significantly IgE(DES)-FITC binding to KU812 cells (< 0.5% on a molar basis). The cytophilic epitope on IgE was heat-susceptible (56 degrees C, 2 h), lost after reduction alkylation, and resident in the papain-derived Fc epsilon-fragment, but not in the papain-derived Fab epsilon- and Fc'epsilon-fragments nor in the pepsin-derived F(ab')2 epsilon- and Fc"epsilon-fragments. Washing and displacement experiments indicated that a major part of IgE reacted with high affinity to KU812 cells. The results indicate that the binding of IgE to KU812 cells is highly specific and involves the classical high-affinity Fc epsilon RI-receptor. Although the density of receptors is low, this human cell line offers a unique model to study IgE/Fc epsilon RI interactions.