| Abstract: | Δ53β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity transforms biologically inactive Δ53β hydroxy steroids into the active Δ43-keto products (e.g. pregnenolone to progesterone). Using a cytochemical procedure which allows for the continuous microdensitometric monitoring of an enzyme reaction as it proceeds and a well described cytochemical assay for Δ53β HSD we have analysed the initial velocity rates (Vo) for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) binding to this enzyme in regressing (i.e. 20α hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase positive) corpus luteum (CL) cells in unfixed tissue sections (5 μm) of the dioestrous and proestrous rat ovary. The results are mean ± S.E.M. The relationship between DHEA concentration (0 to 50 μM) and Δ53β HSD activity in the dioestrous corpora lutea was sigmoidal and had an atypical 1/Vo versus 1/S plot, the x intercept being positive. Using a 1/Vo versus 1/S2 plot the Vmax was determined to be 1·0 ± 0·08 μmol min?1 mg?1 CL (n = 6). The Hill constant was 2·7 ± 0·02 (n = 6) suggesting a high degree of positive co-operativity for DHEA binding. The S concentration for half maximal activity was 17 ± 1 μmoles (n = 6). In the corpora lutea cells of the proestrous ovary, the Vmax for DHEA transformation was unchanged (0·95 ± 0·04 μmol min?1 mg?1, n = 3) whilst the S0·5 was significantly increased to 27 ± 0·1 (p < 0·01, n = 3). The Hill constant remained positive being 2·9 ± 0·2 (n = 3). NAD+ binding to 3β HSD in regressing corpora lutea of the proestrous ovary has been demonstrated previously to be hyperbolic and fit the classical Michaelis-Menten model.1 Extending the analysis of NAD+ binding to the regressing corpus luteum of the dioestrous rat ovary revealed similar kinetic characteristics to that seen with the proestrous enzyme, the apparent Vmax and Km being 0·84 ± 0·04 μmol min?1 mg?1 CL (n = 3) and 27 ± 7 μmol 1?1 (n = 3) respectively. The Hill constant was 1·1 ± 0·03 (n = 3), indicating no co-operativity of co-factor binding. |
