苦参碱引起C6胶质瘤细胞凋亡及其对TRADD表达的影响

目的:应用一系列分子生物学检测技术采检测苦参碱对胶质瘤细胞中TRADD表达的影响,以进一步推测其诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡的作用机制.方法:采用MTT法测定不同浓度苦参碱作用于C6胶质瘤细胞后的吸光值以计算其抑制率:采用Annexin/FITC染色进行流式细胞术检测来测定不同浓度苦参碱诱导C6胶质瘤细胞的凋亡率;采用ICC(免疫细胞化学)、Westem-blotting及Real-timePCR array(实时定量PCR芯片)方法来检测苦参碱对胶质瘤细胞TRADD表达的影响.结果:MTT结果显示细胞抑制率随着药物剂量的增加而增加;Annexin/FITC染色进行流式细胞术的检测结果显示胶质瘤细胞的凋亡率随着药物剂量的增加而增加;ICC、Western-blotting及Real-time PCR array结果显示苦参碱可诱导胶质瘤细胞TRADD基因及蛋白表达的上调.结论:苦参碱可以诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡,其诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡可能是通过上调TRADD的表达,以死亡受体途径来实现的.     

氨基葡萄糖硫酸盐诱导凋亡中Cathepsin D与Bcl-xL的细胞内共定位研究

目的:探讨氨基葡萄糖硫酸盐(Glucosamine Sulfate,GS)诱导K562细胞凋亡中溶酶体Cathepsin D释放后与Bcl-xL的细胞内共定位关系。方法:采用5.0mmol.L-1 GS诱导K562细胞凋亡,通过HE染色和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,应用免疫荧光染色结合激光共聚焦显微镜观察5.0mmol.L-1 GS诱导凋亡前后Cathepsin D与Bcl-xL的细胞内共定位关系。结果:GS诱导K562细胞72小时后出现细胞凋亡的形态改变,流式细胞仪检测表明细胞出现凋亡,诱导凋亡后的Cathepsin D与Bcl-xL的细胞内共定位信号增强。结论:GS诱导K562细胞凋亡后Cathepsin D与Bcl-xL存在细胞内共定位关系,具备一定相互作用的空间基础。     

糖基化终末产物（AGEs）诱导下SOCS基因在肾小管上皮细胞中的表达及意义

目的观察SOCS-1、SOCS-3在肾小管上皮细胞（HKC）中的基础表达及在糖基化终末产物（AGEs）诱导下的表达及意义。方法体外培养HKC细胞,随机分为正常对照组、AGEs组,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学改变,采用流式细胞术,免疫细胞化学和检测SOCS-1、SOCS-3蛋白表达,RT-PCR法检测HKCSOCS-1、SOCS-3 mRNA表达。结果与正常组比较,AGES诱导的肾小管上皮细胞发生形态学改变;免疫细胞化学、流式细胞学发现SOCS-1、SOCS-3表达以胞浆为主,散在胞核表达;12、24、48hSOCS-1、SOCS-3蛋白表达AGEs组均高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义,其中SOCS-1以12h表达量最大,SOCS-3以24h表达最高,RT-PCR检测SOCS-3 mRNA表达量,AGEs组高于正常组,差异有统计学意义。结论SOCS-1、SOCS-3在正常肾小管上皮细胞中有基础表达,AGEs可诱导肾小管上皮细胞SOCS-1、SOCS-3表达上调,为我们进一步研究SOCS基因与糖尿病肾病的关系提供了理论依据。     

Caspase-3反义寡核苷酸对γ-射线诱导的HL-60细胞中caspase-3表达与细胞凋亡的抑制作用

γ-射线可诱导人髓性白血病细胞株HL-60细胞凋亡,但其机制尚未完全明了。为了观察caspase-3在这种细胞凋亡模型中的作用,本研究设计合成针对caspase-3mRNA5′-非编码区和编码起始区的反义寡核苷酸(ASODNs),即ASODN-1和ASODN-2,以脂质体介导法将不同浓度ASODN-1和ASODN-2转染进入HL-60细胞,γ-射线照射。应用TUNEL法观察凋亡细胞形态学变化及检测凋亡细胞百分率,免疫细胞化学、Westernblotting和RT-PCR技术分别检测caspase-3及其mRNA在引入ASODNs前后的表达水平,并以错配寡核苷酸(MODN)转染及未转染细胞作为对照组。TUNEL法检测发现,当ASODN-1和ASODN-2转染终浓度≥3μmol/L时,γ-射线诱导的HL-60细胞凋亡率降低,与对照组相比均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。免疫细胞化学结果显示,与两对照组相比,转染ASODNs后各组caspase-3阳性细胞率显著下降,阳性细胞染色减弱,其平均灰度值显著增高(P<0.01)。Westernblotting检测显示,转染ASODNs组细胞caspase-3蛋白酶原表达降低,其中ASODN-1组显著低于ASODN-2组。RT-PCR结果显示两对照组细胞caspase-3mRNA均有明显表达,转染ASODNs后caspase-3mRNA表达丰度降低。另外,ASODN-1抑制细胞凋亡和caspase-3表达的作用显著强于ASODN-2(分别为P<0.05和P<0.01)。实验结果表明,caspase-3mRNAASODNs能够抑制γ-射线照射诱导的HL-60细胞凋亡,下调caspase-3蛋白和caspase-3mRNA的表达水平,其抑制作用在一定范围内呈剂量依赖性。     

维甲酸对A549细胞增殖和凋亡及Skp2、p27^kip1蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨维甲酸对A549细胞增殖和凋亡及相关基因表达的影响。方法MTT法观察ATRA对A549细胞增殖的抑制作用;流式细胞仪、AO/EB荧光双染法检测细胞凋亡;免疫细胞化学检测ATRA处理前后A549细胞Skp2、p27^kip1蛋白表达的情况。结果ATRA处理后①MTT法结果显示ATRA对A549细胞具有增殖抑制作用,在一定范围内呈时间-剂量依赖性。②AO/EB荧光双染色法观察到ATRA 25μmol/L作用A549细胞48h后,即可发现典型的凋亡形态学改变。③流式细胞仪结果出现凋亡峰,与对照组细胞相比,实验组细胞周期延长,主要表现为G0/G1期细胞比例增加,同时S期细胞比例减少。④免疫细胞化学结果显示,ATRA 25μmol/L处理细胞48h后,维甲酸处理组Skp2有明显下调,p27^kip1则明显上调。结论ATRA具有抑制肺腺癌A549细胞增殖,诱导细胞凋亡的作用,其机制可能与下调Skp2,上调p27^kip1蛋白的表达水平有关。     

SCP诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡与bcl-2基因表达的关系

目的探讨鲨鱼软骨制剂(SCP)诱导人肝癌细胞系(SMMC7721)凋亡的作用机制.方法以不同浓度SCP加入体外培养的SMMC7721细胞中,用MTT比色法检测细胞存活率;Hoechst33342/PI荧光染色,荧光显微镜分析凋亡细胞百分率;流式细胞术进行细胞凋亡定量;琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测DNA梯状条带;免疫细胞化学染色法检测Bcl-2蛋白的表达.结果 SCP明显抑制SMMC7721细胞生长,IC50值为1.25mg/ml;荧光显微镜下可见50%以上细胞为凋亡细胞的形态学改变;琼脂糖凝胶电泳呈现梯状条带(DNA ladder);免疫细胞化学检测显示SCP诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡过程中Bcl-2表达明显降低.结论 SCP诱导SMMC7721细胞凋亡,可能与下调Bcl-2表达有关.     

去甲斑蝥素诱导人红白血病K562细胞凋亡的实验研究

体外实验证明１０μｇ．ｍｌ－１去甲斑蝥素作用于人红白血病Ｋ５６２细胞２４ｈ,可诱导Ｋ５６２细胞发生凋亡。提取加药组细胞ＤＮＡ进行琼脂糖凝胶电泳呈现典型的ＤＮＡ“梯子”,同时加药组细胞出现核固缩、碎裂及胞浆浓缩等形态学变化。流式细胞测试结合形态学观察,特别是细胞超微结构观察,证明去甲斑蝥素诱导的Ｋ５６２细胞凋亡大部分发生在细胞周期的Ｍ期,也有部分发生在间期。免疫细胞化学结果表明,１０μｇ．ｍｌ－１去甲斑蝥素作用于人红白血病Ｋ５６２细胞２４ｈ,与对照组相比,加药组细胞中ｂｃｌ┐２蛋白表达增强,而Ｂａｘ蛋白表达减弱,两组间有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．００１）。     

单纯疱疹病毒2型潜伏相关转录体ORF1的表达及其抗凋亡作用

旨在研究单纯疱疹病毒2型潜伏相关转录体 (LAT) 开放读码框1 (ORF1) 对放线菌素D诱导的凋亡作用的影响。以HSV-2 333基因组为模板PCR扩增ORF1片段,构建重组质粒pEGFP-ORF1,转染Vero细胞,RT-PCR鉴定ORF1的表达。放线菌素D诱导Vero细胞凋亡,通过荧光显微镜观察凋亡小体,Hochest33258荧光染色观察细胞形态变化,MTT检测细胞活性,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。双酶切和测序确认pEGFP-ORF1构建成功,RT-PCR表明该真核表达载体能在Vero细胞中高效表达。转染了pEGFP-ORF1的Vero细胞经放线菌素D凋亡诱导后,Hochest33258染色显示细胞形态正常。MTT结果表明转染了重组质粒pEGFP-ORF1的Vero细胞经放线菌素D凋亡诱导后Vero细胞活性与未经任何处理的正常对照组相比,无显著差异 (P＞0.05),但高于放线菌素D诱导凋亡的Vero细胞组及与转染空质粒pEGFP-C2且放线菌素D诱导凋亡的Vero细胞组,差异具有统计学意义 (P＜0.05)。流式结果表明,转染重组质粒pEGFP-ORF1且经放线菌素D诱导凋亡组与正常对照组凋亡率差异不显著 (P＞0.05),而显著低于放线菌素D诱导凋亡组和转染空质粒pEGFP-C2且经放线菌素D诱导凋亡组 (P＜0.05)。HSV-2 LAT ORF1具有抗放线菌素D诱导的Vero细胞的凋亡作用。     

p53在蓝莓花青素诱导Lovo细胞凋亡中的作用

[目的]研究蓝莓花青素(BA)对人结肠癌Lovo细胞增殖及凋亡的影响,分析凋亡相关基因—p53基因mRNA和蛋白表达的变化。[方法]分别用浓度为50μg/ml、100μg/ml、200μg/ml的BA处理结肠癌Lovo细胞24h,采用MTT法、免疫荧光法和Real-time PCR法和免疫细胞组织化学分析BA对Lovo细胞增殖、细胞凋亡、p53 mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。[结果]BA呈剂量依赖的方式抑制Lovo细胞增殖;能诱导细胞发生晚期凋亡;与对照组相比,不同浓度BA处理后p53基因mRNA表达水平分别上调0.602、0.697、0.541倍(P0.05),但BA不同剂量组间并无明显的差异(P0.05);免疫细胞组化结果表明随着BA浓度的增加,p53表达增强。[结论]BA可以诱导结肠癌Lovo细胞发生晚期凋亡,p53基因mRNA表达上调,但与BA的浓度无相关性。     

单纯疱疹病毒2型潜伏相关转录体RL1的表达及其抗凋亡作用

单纯疱疹病毒2型潜伏相关转录体(LAT)-RL1对放线菌素D诱导的凋亡作用的研究。构建重组pEGFP-RL1质粒,转染Vero细胞,RT-PCR及荧光鉴定重组质粒的表达。放线菌素D诱导Vero细胞凋亡,通过Hochest33342荧光染色观察细胞形态变化,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,JC-1荧光观察膜电位变化,Caspase 3凋亡蛋白检测。RT-PCR和荧光观察表明该真核表达载体能在Vero细胞中高表达。Hochest33342染色转染了pEGFP-RL1的Vero细胞经放线菌素D凋亡诱导后,细胞形态正常。流式结果表明转染重组质粒pEGFP-RL1且经诱导凋亡组与正常对照组凋亡率无差异,而显著低于诱导凋亡组和转染空质粒pEGFP-C2诱导凋亡组。转染重组质粒pEGPF-RL1的细胞JC-1染色后,红色细胞的比例要远大于绿色细胞的比例,而转染空质粒pEGFP-C2被染成绿色细胞的数量较多。Caspase-3结果表明转染了空质粒pEGFP-C2的Vero细胞经诱导凋亡后,活性显著高于转染了pEGFP-RL1经放线菌素D诱导凋亡后的Vero细胞和正常Vero细胞。HSV-2 LAT RL1具有抗放线菌素D诱导的Vero细胞的凋亡作用。     

High endothelial venules of the lymph nodes express Fas ligand.

Fas (CD95, APO-1) is widely expressed on lymphatic cells, and by interacting with its natural ligand (Fas-L), Fas induces apoptosis through a complex caspase cascade. In this study we sought to survey Fas-L expression in vascular and sinusoidal structures of human reactive lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical Fas-L expression was present in all paracortical high endothelial venules (HEVs), in cells lining the marginal sinus wall, and in a few lymphocytes, but only occasionally in non-HEV vascular endothelium. In the paracortical zone over 60% of all vessels and all paracortical HEVs showed Fas-L expression, whereas in the medullary zone less than 10% of the blood vessels were stained with Fas-L. Normal vessels outside lymph nodes mostly showed no Fas-L expression. We show that in human reactive lymph nodes Fas-L expression is predominantly present in HEVs. Because the circulating lymphocytes gain entry to nodal parenchyma by transendothelial migration through HEVs, the suggested physiological importance of Fas-L expression in these vessels lies in the regulation of lymphocyte access to lymph node parenchyma by possibly inducing Fas/Fas-L mediated apoptosis of activated Fas-expressing lymphoid cells. The Fas-L expressing cells in the marginal sinus might have a similar function for cells accessing the node in afferent lymph.     

Interaction of human breast fibroblasts with collagen I increases secretion of procathepsin B

Interactions of stromal and tumor cells with the extracellular matrix may regulate expression of proteases including the lysosomal proteases cathepsins B and D. In the present study, we determined whether the expression of these two proteases in human breast fibroblasts was modulated by interactions with the extracellular matrix component, collagen I. Breast fibroblasts were isolated from non-malignant breast tissue as well as from tissue surrounding malignant human breast tumors. Growth of these fibroblasts on collagen I gels affected cell morphology, but not the intracellular localization of vesicles staining for cathepsin B or D. Cathepsins B and D levels (mRNA or intracellular protein) were not affected in fibroblasts growing on collagen I gels or plastic, nor was cathepsin D secreted from these cells. In contrast, protein expression and secretion of cathepsin B, primarily procathepsin B, was induced by growth on collagen I gels. The induced secretion appeared to be mediated by integrins binding to collagen I, as inhibitory antibodies against alpha(1), alpha(2), and beta(1) integrin subunits prevented procathepsin B secretion from fibroblasts grown on collagen. In addition, procathepsin B secretion was induced when cells were plated on beta(1) integrin antibodies. To our knowledge, this is the first examination of cathepsin B and D expression and localization in human breast fibroblasts and their regulation by a matrix protein. Secretion of the cysteine protease procathepsin B from breast fibroblasts may have physiological and pathological consequences, as proteases are required for normal development and for lactation of the mammary gland, yet can also initiate and accelerate the progression of breast cancer.     

Human and hamster procathepsin D, although equally tagged with mannose-6-phosphate, are differentially targeted to lysosomes in transfected BHK cells

BHK cells transfected with human cathepsin D (CD) cDNA normally segregate the autologous hamster cathepsin D while secreting a large proportion of the human proenzyme. In the present work, we have utilized these transfectants to examine to what extent the mannose-6-phosphate-dependent pathway for lysosomal enzyme segregation contributes to the differential sorting of human and hamster CD. We report that, in recipient control BHK cells, the rate of mannose-6-phosphate-dependent endocytosis of human procathepsin D secreted by transfected BHK cells is lower than that of hamster procathepsin D and much lower than that of human arylsulphatase A. The missorted human enzyme bears phosphorylated oligosaccharides and most of its phosphate residues are “uncovered”, like the autologous enzyme. Thus, despite both the Golgi-associated modifications of oligosaccharides, i.e. the phosphorylation of mannose and the uncovering of mannose-6-phosphate residues, which proceed on human and hamster procathepsin D with comparable efficiency, only the latter is accurately packaged into lysosomes. Ammonium chloride partially affects the lysosomal targeting of cathepsin D in control BHK cells, whereas in transfected cells, this drug strongly inhibits the maturation of human procathepsin D and slightly enhances its secretion. These data indicate that: (1) over-expression of a lysosomal protein does not saturate the Golgi-associated reactions leading to the synthesis of mannose-6-phosphate; (2) a portion of cathepsin D is targeted independently of mannose-6-phosphate receptors in the transfected BHK cells; and (3) whichever mechanism for lysosomal delivery of autologous procathepsin D is involved, this is not saturated by the high rate of expression of human cathepsin D.     

Lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin B, is targeted to lysosomes by the mannose 6-phosphate-independent pathway in rat hepatocytes: site-specific phosphorylation in oligosaccharides of the proregion

Cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is synthesized as a glycoprotein with two N-linked oligosaccharide chains, one of which is in the propeptide region while the other is in the mature region. When cultured rat hepatocytes were labeled with [(32)P]phosphate, (32)P-labeled cathepsin B was immunoprecipitated only in the proform from cell lysates and medium. Either Endo H or alkaline phosphatase treatment of (32)P-labeled procathepsin B demonstrated the acquisition of a mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) residue on high mannose type oligosaccharides. To identify the site of phosphorylation, immunoisolated (35)S- or (32)P-labeled procathepsin B was incubated with purified lysosomal cathepsin D, since cathepsin D cleaves 48 amino acid residues from the N-terminus of procathepsin B, in which one N-linked oligosaccharide chain was also included [Kawabata, T. et al. (1993) J. Biochem. 113, 389-394]. Treatment of intracellular (35)S-labeled procathepsin B with a molecular mass of 39-kDa with cathepsin D resulted in the production of the 31-kDa intermediate form, but the (32)P-label incorporated into procathepsin B disappeared after treatment with cathepsin D. These results indicate that the phosphorylation of procathepsin B is restricted to an oligosaccharide chain present in the propeptide region. Interestingly, cathepsin B sorting to lysosomes was not inhibited by NH(4)Cl treatment and about 90% of the intracellular procathepsin B initially phosphorylated was secreted into the medium without being dephosphorylated intracellularly, and did not bind significantly to cation-independent-Man 6-P receptor, suggesting the failure of Man 6-P-dependent transport of procathepsin B to lysosomes. Additionally, about 50% of the newly synthesized (35)S-labeled cathepsin B was retained in the cells in mature forms consisting of a 29-kDa single chain form and a 24-kDa two chain form, while part of the procathepsin B was associated with membranes in a Man 6-P-independent manner. Taken together, these results show that in rat hepatocytes, cathepsin B is targeted to lysosomes by an alternative mechanism(s) other than the Man 6-P-dependent pathway.     

Angiostatin generation by cathepsin D secreted by human prostate carcinoma cells

Angiostatin, a potent endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, is generated by cancer-mediated proteolysis of plasminogen. The culture medium of human prostate carcinoma cells, when incubated with plasminogen at a variety of pH values, generated angiostatic peptides and miniplasminogen. The enzyme(s) responsible for this reaction was purified and identified as procathepsin D. The purified procathepsin D, as well as cathepsin D, generated two angiostatic peptides having the same NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequences and comprising kringles 1-4 of plasminogen in the pH range of 3.0-6.8, most strongly at pH 4.0 in vitro. This reaction required the concomitant conversion of procathepsin D to catalytically active pseudocathepsin D. The conversion of pseudocathepsin D to the mature cathepsin D was not observed by the prolonged incubation. The affinity-purified angiostatic peptides inhibited angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, procathepsin D secreted by human breast carcinoma cells showed a significantly lower angiostatin-generating activity than that by human prostate carcinoma cells. Since deglycosylated procathepsin D from both prostate and breast carcinoma cells exhibited a similar low angiostatin-generating activity, this discrepancy appeared to be attributed to the difference in carbohydrate structures of procathepsin D molecules between the two cell types. The seminal vesicle fluid from patients with prostate carcinoma contained the mature cathepsin D and procathepsin D, but not pseudocathepsin D, suggesting that pseudocathepsin D is not a normal intermediate of procathepsin D processing in vivo. The present study provides evidence for the first time that cathepsin D secreted by human prostate carcinoma cells is responsible for angiostatin generation, thereby causing the prevention of tumor growth and angiogenesis-dependent growth of metastases.     

Mannose 6-phosphate-independent targeting of cathepsin D to lysosomes in HepG2 cells.

We have studied the role of N-linked oligosaccharides and proteolytic processing on the targeting of cathepsin D to the lysosomes in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. In the presence of tunicamycin cathepsin D was synthesized as an unglycosylated 43-kDa proenzyme which was proteolytically processed via a 39-kDa intermediate to a 28-kDa mature form. Only a small portion was secreted into the culture medium. During intracellular transport the 43-kDa procathepsin D transiently became membrane-associated independently of binding to the mannose 6-phosphate receptor. Subcellular fractionation showed that unglycosylated cathepsin D was efficiently targeted to the lysosomes via intermediate compartments similar to the enzyme in control cells. The results show that in HepG2 cells processing and transport of cathepsin D to the lysosomes is independent of mannose 6-phosphate residues. Inhibition of the proteolytic processing of 53-kDa procathepsin D by protease inhibitors caused this form to accumulate intracellularly. Subcellular fractionation revealed that the procathepsin D was transported to lysosomes, thereby losing its membrane association. Procathepsin D taken up by the mannose 6-phosphate receptor also transiently became membrane-associated, probably in the same compartment. We conclude that the mannose 6-phosphate-independent membrane-association is a transient and compartment-specific event in the transport of procathepsin D.     

Cathepsin D antigenic epitopes identified by the humoral responses of ovarian cancer patients

 Previous studies implicated cathepsin D as one commonly recognized target of tumor-reactive immunoglobulins from ovarian cancer patients. These immunoglobulins are shown to be immunoreactive with both the 52-kDa procathepsin D and the 32-kDa mature cathepsin D derived from the UL-1 ovarian cancer cell line. Whether the carbohydrate domains or the core protein were associated with its immunogenicity was analyzed with cathepsin D isolated from tunicamycin-treated UL-1 cells. No significant difference was detected in the immunoreactivity of patient serum with the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of the cathepsin D, suggesting that patient humoral responses are directed primarily against the core protein. To define the antigenic epitopes of cathepsin D, tryptic fragments were prepared from UL-1-derived procathepsin D. The epitopes of the core protein recognized by sera from more than one patient were identified using a peptide-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microsequencing of positive immunoreactive peptides. This protocol identified four epitopes: two peptides within the pro-peptide, a third at the carboxy terminus and the fourth at the glycosylation site of the mature enzyme. This approach to the identification of specific antigenic epitopes may be useful in defining effective targets for directed active immunotherapy against cancer. Received: 8 September 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997     

Development of gel staining techniques for detecting the secretion of procathepsin D (52-kDa protein) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

17 beta-Estradiol stimulates the secretion of the 34- and 52-kDa protein (i.e., cathepsin D and procathepsin D, respectively) from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) inhibits this estrogen-stimulated response. A comparison of the effects of 17 beta-estradiol, TCDD, and their combinations on the secretion of these two proteins was determined using four different assay procedures, namely autoradiographic analysis of the 35S-labeled proteins (from [35S]methionine) separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), densitometric analysis of the silver- and double-stained proteins separated by PAGE, and radioimmunoassay of the proteins using commercially available antibodies to the 52-kDa protein. The results showed that the autoradiographic, staining, and radioimmunoassay procedures gave comparable results with only a few minor differences in the relative amounts of the 52-kDa detected in the various treatment groups. In the medium obtained from 17 beta-estradiol-treated cells that was serially diluted, there was an excellent linear correlation for the relative concentrations of the 52-kDa protein using the double-staining/densitometric procedure and the radioimmunoassay. These results indicate that the double- or silver-staining method may be a useful and rapid method for screening new compounds as antiestrogens in MCF-7 cells.