应激大鼠肾胞液[^3H]醛固酮结合活性的变化及调节机制的初步研究

为探讨烫伤引起病理性应激时大鼠肾胞液醛固酮结合活性的变化及可能的调节机制,以[～3H]-醛固酮为配体,用放射性配基-受体结合分析法测定了正常对照组、轻度烫伤组和重度烫伤组大鼠肾胞液醛固酮结合活性的结合容量(Rt)和表观解离常数(Kd);采用体内注射TNF-α、IL-1β中和抗体和α-促黑色素细胞刺激激素(α-melanocyte-stimulatinghormone,α-MSH)和合成肽KPV(Ac-D-Lys-L-Pro-D-Val)等措施调节其改变.结果发现,肾胞液存在两种不同结合容量、不同亲和力的醛固酮结合活性受体.与正常对照组的Rt(Rt141.6±7.2fmol/mgpro;Rt2317.6±70.0fmol/mgpro)相比,轻烫组的Rt(Rt141.4±5.0fmol/mgpro;Rt2314.8±45.7fmol/mgpro)无显著差异(P>0.05;P>0.05);重烫组的Rt(Rt122.4±5.4fmol/mgpro;Rt2196.3±32.5fmol/mgpro)则显著下降(P<0.01;P<0.01).体内注射TNF-α与IL-1β中和抗体、α-MSH及KPV均能明显提高重烫组Rt值.结果提示,重度烫伤大鼠肾胞浆醛固酮结合活性降低,TNF-α、IL-1β中和抗体、α-MSH及KPV均可防止重度烫伤引起病理性应激时醛固酮结合活性降低.     

Effects of fasting on the distribution of cytoplasmic and nuclear oestrogen receptors in rat liver, uterus, pituitary and hypothalamus before and after exogenous oestrogen administration

The accumulation of oestrogen receptors in the liver cell nuclei of intact female rats 45 min after administration of 100 micrograms 17 alpha-ethynyloestradiol-17 beta i.p., decreased progressively during a 72-h fast from 2550 +/- 860 to 257 +/- 67 fmol/mg DNA, a level not significantly different from that in uninjected animals. Cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor concentrations also decreased, but only to about 60% of the original level (from 84.1 +/- 27.5 to 50.3 +/- 2.09 fmol/mg protein during the fast). Similar differences were found when these parameters were examined in normally fed and 72-h-fasted ovariectomized rats. On the other hand these parameters were unaffected in uterus, pituitary and hypothalamus. Uterine cytoplasmic receptor concentrations remained at about 500 fmol/mg protein during the fasting period, those in the pituitary and hypothalamus at about 230 and 30 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Nor was in vivo translocation in these organs affected by fasting. Regardless of nutritional status, the nuclear oestrogen receptor concentrations in uterus rose from about 500 to 2000 fmol/mg DNA after ethynyloestradiol administration, those in the pituitary and hypothalamus from approximately 250 to 2000 and from 250 to 500 fmol/mg DNA respectively.     

Endocrine aging in C57 BL mice--II. Dynamics of estrogen receptors in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Specific cytosolic and nuclear binding sites for estrogens were measured in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) of young (4-8 months) and old (16-18 months) C57 BL mice in order to determine any age-related alteration in hormone-receptor interaction. Our results indicated no age differences in the affinity (KD = 0.89 +/- 0.03 (SEM) vs 1.09 +/- 0.2 X 10(-9) M), the specificity, the sedimentation profile (6 s) or in the number (98.9 +/- 4.9 vs 84.4 +/- 2.3 fmol/mg protein) of unoccupied estrogen binding sites in the cytosols. Estradiol administration to young mice induced a complete translocation of cytosolic estrogen receptors to the nucleus, and two types of nuclear binding sites were observed: Type I were specific for estrogens with high affinity (KD = 0.51 +/- 0.06 X 10(-9) M) and low binding capacity (115.1 +/- 22.7 fmol/mg DNA) and sedimented in the 4.0 s area, while Type II binding sites showed a much higher capacity and lower affinity for R2858. HPA nuclear suspensions of aged untreated mice showed undetectable (less than 50 fmol/mg DNA) levels of nuclear estrogen receptors and E2 pre-treatment resulted in a significant increase in both types of binding sites. While no significant changes in the physicochemical characteristics of these nuclear receptors were observed, when compared to young animals, aging was manifested by a translocation defect in the HPA of C57 BL mice. These results suggest aging changes in the endocrine regulating centers of the brain with defective activation of estrogen receptors.     

Age-dependent decrease in adenosine A1 receptor binding sites in the rat brain. Effect of cis unsaturated free fatty acids.

Unsaturated free fatty acids and adenosine operate two neuromodulatory systems with opposite effects on neuronal function. Here, we tested if fatty acids controlled inhibitory adenosine A1 receptors. Arachidonate (AA, 10 microM) decreased the Bmax of an A1 receptor agonist, (R)-[3H]phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA; from 812 to 267 fmol x mg(-1) protein), and antagonist, [3H]1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; from 994 to 311 fmol x mg(-1) protein) and decreased the Kd of [3H]PIA (from 1.20 to 0.57 nM) binding to brain membranes of young adult rats (2 months old), these effects being mimicked by other cis but not trans unsaturated or saturated fatty acids. AA (10 microM) increased the potency of the A1 receptor agonist, 2-chloroadenosine to inhibit hippocampal synaptic transmission in young adult rats (EC50 decreased from 337 to 237 nM), which may constitute a safety feedback mechanism to control AA-induced neurotoxicity. Upon aging, there were increased free fatty acid levels and a concomitant decreased density of A1 receptors. This was more marked in hippocampal nerve terminals of aged rats (24 months old) and may be the determinant factor contributing to the lower potency of 2-choloroadenosine in aged rats (EC50 = 955 nM), in spite of the decreased Kd of PIA binding upon aging. The effects of AA on A1 receptor binding were attenuated upon aging, AA being devoid of effects in aged rats. Accordingly, AA (10 microM) failed to modify the potency of 2-choloroadenosine in aged rats (EC50 = 997 nM). However, albumin, which quenches free fatty acids, increased A1 receptor density by 65% and 2-chloroadenosine potency (EC50 = 703 nM) in aged rats, suggesting that the increased fatty acids levels in aged rats may contribute to the decreased potency of A1 receptor agonists in aged rats. Also, the observed saturation of the control by AA of A1 receptors may contribute to the decreased adaptability of neuromodulation to different firing conditions in aged rats.     

Characterization and sequence-specific binding to mouse mammary tumor virus DNA of purified activated human glucocorticoid receptor

Activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) from the human cell line HeLa S3 was purified by differential chromatography on DNA-cellulose followed by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography to 50-60% homogeneity according to sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and densitometric scanning of silver-stained gels. These gels routinely demonstrated a main band of Mr 94,000 (94K band) and two minor bands of Mr 79,000 (79K band) and 39,000 (39K band), respectively. Photoaffinity labeling indicated that the hormone was bound to the 94K and 79K components. In some preparations, a 72K band was observed. Further characterization of the purified receptor by gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-200 revealed a receptor complex with a Stokes radius of 5.8 nm. The sedimentation coefficient of the purified receptor was 4.4 Sw. In analogy to the rat hepatic GR, limited proteolysis of the purified GR with trypsin or alpha-chymotrypsin led to degradation of the 94K and 79K components and appearance of 28K and 39K fragments, respectively. In addition, no difference in the protease digestion pattern using Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease was observed. Immunoblotting using a monoclonal antibody raised against the 94K GR from rat liver demonstrated cross-reactivity with the human 94K and 79K proteins from HeLa S3 cells, indicating similar antigenic characteristics between rat and human GR. In our study, five out of nine tested monoclonal antibodies against the rat liver GR cross-reacted with human GR. DNase I and exonuclease III protection experiments demonstrated binding of the purified human GR to specific GR binding regions in mouse mammary tumor virus DNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of free radicals on adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of young adult and aged rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent age-related motor dysfunction resulting from the hyperactivity of the indirect striatal pathway, which is controlled in an antagonistic manner by inhibitory dopamine D2 and facilitatory adenosine A(2A) receptors. Thus, dopamine precursors like l-DOPA are the standard therapy and A(2A) antagonists are now tested as anti-parkinsonians. Increased free radicals levels occur on aging and are proposed to be a contributing factor for PD. We now tested if free radicals affected A(2A) and D2 receptors in striatal membranes of young adult (2 months) and old (24 months) rats. The A(2A) receptor antagonist [3H]SCH 58261 bound to striatal membranes with a KD of 0.9 nM and a Bmax of 953 fmol/mg protein in young rats and with a KD of 0.8 nM and a Bmax of 725 fmol/mg protein in aged rats (24% decrease). The D2 receptor antagonist [3H]raclopride bound to striatal membranes with a KD of 4.0 nM and a Bmax of 598 fmol/mg protein in young rats and with a KD of 4.3 nM and a Bmax of 368 fmol/mg protein in aged rats (38% decrease). Exposure of striatal membranes to a free radical generation system (2 mM FeSO4 and 4 mM ascorbate) caused a similar decrease of [3H]SCH 58261 (35%) and [3H]raclopride (37%) binding in young adult rats but caused a greater decrease of [3H]SCH 58261 (49%) than of [3H]raclopride (20%) binding in aged rats. Thus, in aged rats, there is an unbalance of A(2A)/D2 receptor density favouring A(2A) receptors, which is restored on exposure to free radicals. This supports the hypothesis that the effectiveness of A(2A) receptor antagonists as anti-parkinsonians, demonstrated in young adult animals, may not be affected by a modified A(2A)/D2 receptor density in aged individuals suffering from exposure to increased free radical levels, as occurs in PD.     

Replenishment of uterine estrogen receptor in chronically estrogenized rats

Replenishment of uterine estrogen receptor (ER) following a single injection of estradiol-17 beta (E2) was examined in chronically estrogenized rats. Subcutaneous implantation of E2-pellet for 7 days in ovariectomized rats resulted in a significant stimulation of uteri with regard to wet tissue weight, DNA content and progesterone receptor content, with a shift of ER distribution. An intraperitoneal injection of 5 micrograms E2 in the E2-implanted rats induced a significant decrease in soluble ER (from 141.1 +/- 12.6 to 69.2 +/- 8.8 fmol/mg protein) with a concomitant increase in nuclear ER (from 58.2 +/- 8.6 to 129.2 +/- 11.6 fmol/100 micrograms DNA) 1 h after the injection. However, soluble ER was rapidly replenished, which was accompanied by nuclear ER reduction, and both values returned to the pre-injection levels at 4 h after the injection. An administration of 150 micrograms cycloheximide, that effectively blocked protein synthesis in the uterus of the E2-implanted rats, completely inhibited the replenishment of soluble ER induced by 5 micrograms E2. These findings, combined with our previous findings that replenishment of ER following a single E2 administration in the pituitary of chronically estrogenized rats was inhibited by cycloheximide, suggest that replenishment of ER is entirely dependent on protein synthesis in chronically estrogenized rats.     

Age-related changes in adrenergic alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta receptors of rat white fat cell membranes: an analysis using [3H]bunazosin as a novel ligand for the alpha 1 adrenoceptor.

Age-related changes in alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-catecholamine receptors on membrane of rat epididymal fat cells were investigated. Both young (6 weeks old, weight about 190 g) and aged (20 weeks old, weight about 490 g) Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. For the alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding experiment, we developed a novel analytical method using the hydrophilic alpha 1-receptor selective antagonist, [3H]bunazosin. The binding of [3H]bunazosin to its binding sites was rapid, reversible, saturable, and stereospecific. Scatchard binding analysis showed a single class of binding site. The sites were characterized as alpha 1-adrenoceptors by inhibition experiments using various agonists and antagonists. The number of maximum binding sites (Bmax) of alpha 1-receptor binding was 37.0 +/- 6.5 (young) versus 24.0 +/- 3.2 (aged) fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01). [3H]Rauwolscine and [3H]CGP-12177 were used for alpha 2- and beta-receptor binding, respectively. In alpha 2-receptor detection using [3H]rauwolscine as a ligand, Bmax increased markedly from 19.8 +/- 4.9 to 86.2 +/- 19.5 fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01). In contrast, Bmax for beta-receptor decreased from 69.7 +/- 9.7 to 45.4 +/- 13.9 fmol/mg protein with increasing rat age (P less than 0.05). Kd showed no change in each of the binding experiments between young and aged rats. The cell volume increased from 0.07 +/- 0.02 to 0.15 +/- 0.06 nl. It is implied that anti-lipolytic activity strengthened on the whole mainly with the marked increase of alpha 2-receptor number and decrease of beta-receptor number.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of vasopressin administration and deficiency upon 3H-AVP binding sites in the CNS and periphery during development.

Arginine8-vasopressin (AVP, 40 micrograms/100 g b.wt., SC) was administered to male Long-Evans (LE) pups from day 1 to 7 of life and the pups were sacrificed on day 8 or 60. 3H-AVP binding was performed on membranes prepared from the liver, kidney, and septum. No significant changes were observed in the kidney or septum of animals 8 or 60 days old. However, the chronic AVP treatment did result in a significant increase in the density of 3H-AVP binding sites in the liver when compared to control day 8 pups (control 44 +/- 2 vs. AVP 56 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein), with no change in affinity. This effect was maintained into adulthood, as the day 60 AVP-treated LE rats also showed a significant increase in liver 3H-AVP binding sites compared to control (control 186 +/- 9 vs. AVP 239 +/- 14 fmol/mg protein), with no change in affinity. A comparison of 3H-AVP binding sites in 8-day-old LE, heterozygous Brattleboro (HET-BB), and homozygous Brattleboro rats (HOM-BB) was performed to assess the effect of complete (HOM-BB) and partial (HET-BB) VP deficiency on binding sites in the CNS and periphery. The liver again was the only tissue in which a change in 3H-AVP binding characteristics was noted. The HOM-BB rat (Bmax 144 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein) displayed a significant increase in AVP binding sites from the LE rat (Bmax 100 +/- 7 fmol/mg protein), while the 3H-AVP binding sites in the HET-BB rat liver (Bmax 69.8 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein) were significantly lower than LE rats. Thus hepatic AVP receptors appear most sensitive to the presence or absence of vasopressin during the early postnatal period.     

The age-related characteristics of the hormonal regulation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity in the kidney cortex of rats]

The aldosterone binding in isolated distal convoluted and cortical collecting tubules of renal nephrons and the influence of hormonal induction on the Na, K-ATPase activity in membrane fraction of kidney cortex were studied in 10-day- and 2-month-old rats. No reliable difference in aldosterone-specific binding was revealed (0.26 +/- 0.04 and 0.22 +/- 0.03 fmol/mm of tubule length, respectively, at the age of 10 days and 2 months). It was found that Na, K-ATPase activity increased with age from 0.39 +/- 0.06 to 0.72 +/- 0.10 mumol Pi/mg of protein.1 hour.100 microliters. Aldosterone induction caused approximately a 3-fold increase of the enzyme activity in both age groups comparing to the control level. Co-induction of aldosterone and spironolactone resulted in a 50% decrease of Na, K-ATPase activity in adult rats, but did not influence that in young rats. The revealed age-related differences in the mechanism of hormonal Na, K-ATPase regulation are supposed to underlie the absence of physiological reaction of the kidney to aldosterone in early postnatal ontogenesis.     

Evidence for two progesterone receptor binding sites in murine mammary carcinomas

We have evaluated the progesterone receptor (PR) binding patterns in progestin-dependent and -independent murine mammary carcinomas; all variants regress completely after antiprogestin treatment. These studies revealed the presence of a high affinity, low capacity-binding site (K(d): 43 +/- 9 pM; Q=9 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein) and of the classical lower affinity, high capacity-binding site (K(d): 9.2 +/- 4.2 nM; Q=376 +/- 64 fmol/mg protein). These sites could also be detected in uterus. Antiprogestins were able to bind to both sites. In vitro, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was stimulatory along a biphasic curve with two slopes, one at very low concentrations (EC(50): 1.5 +/- 0.7 fM) and the other at values compatible with the described K(d) for the PR (EC(50): 0.33 +/- 0.3 nM).     

Characterization and quantification of the androgen and glucocorticoid receptors in cytosol from rat skeletal muscle

The binding of the radioactive synthetic hormonal steroids [3H]dexamethasone (9 alpha-fluoro-11 beta, 17 alpha, 21-trihydroxy-16 alpha-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) and [3H]methyltrienolone (17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-4,9,11-estratien-3-one) to cytosol from rat skeletal muscle was studied using dextran-coated charcoal to separate unbound and receptor-bound steroid. The rates of association, dissociation, and degradation of the complexes of dexamethasone and methyltrienolone with receptor were highly dependent on temperature. The temperature dependence of association was greater for dexamethasone, and that of degradation was greater for methyltrienolone. Dissociation rates were insignificant for both steroid-receptor complexes compared to association and degradation rates. The apparent equilibrium dissociation constants for the binding of dexamethasone and methyltrienolone to their receptor binding sites were about 7 and 0.3 nM, respectively, regardless of temperature (0. 15 or 23 degrees C). The lack of influence of temperature on the equilibrium constants indicate that the binding was of hydrophobic character, and the corresponding free energy changes upon binding of dexamethasone and methyltrienolone to their respective binding sites were -41 and -49 kJ mol-1 under equilibrium conditions at 0 degrees C. The apparent maximum number of binding sites determined from Scatchard plots under these conditions was about 1900 fmol/g of tissue, 3500 fmol/mg of DNA or 30 fmol/mg of protein in the case of the dexamethasone receptor, and the corresponding figures for the methyltrienolone were about 100 fmol/g of tissue, 200 fmol/mg of DNA or 2 fmol/mg of protein. The ligand specificities of the binding sites for dexamethasone and methyltrienolone were typical of a glucocorticoid and an androgen receptor, respectively. Both steroid-receptor complexes were retained on DNA-cellulose columns, and were eluted by NaCl at an ionic strength of 0.1. The DNA-cellulose step purified about 20 times, and was used to allow gel exclusion chromatography and electrofocusing. Both steroid-receptor complexes were excluded from a column of Sephadex G-150. Electrofocusing in preparative columns gave reproducible patterns consisting of three peaks for each receptor. The apparent isoelectric points were 5.4, 5.6 and 6.2 for the glucocorticoid receptor, and 5.9, 6.2 and 8.5 for the androgen receptor.     

Tissue distribution of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor in the male rat.

Tissue distribution of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors was studied in male rats using a quantitative immunoradiometric assay. Extracts were prepared from 16 different rat tissues and assayed for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor. Measurable levels of receptor were detected in intestine, stomach, kidney, bone thyroid/parathyroid, skin, liver, spleen, heart and lung. The highest levels were found in the proximal small intestine and colon, containing over 1000 fmol/mg total protein, while ileum and kidney contained one-half and one-fourth of this amount, respectively. Other parts of the vitamin D endocrine system, including bone, thyroid/parathyroid and skin, contained moderate levels of receptor of 40 to 80 fmol/mg, while lung, heart, stomach, spleen and liver had levels at or below 20 fmol/mg. No 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor was detected in cerebrum, cerebellum or skeletal muscle. The data support a wide-spread role for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on cellular processes and suggest a more important role for vitamin D in colon.     

Purification, characterization, and activation of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex from rat kidney cortex

The unactivated molybdate-stabilized glucocorticoid receptor (GcR) was purified from rat kidney cortex cytosol (RKcC) by using a modification of the procedure previously described by this laboratory for rat hepatic receptor. The purification includes affinity chromatography, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography. The final preparation (approximately 1000-fold pure as determined from specific radioactivity) was used in subsequent physicochemical and functional analyses. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed a single heavily Coomassie-stained band at 90 kilodaltons. Density gradient ultracentrifugation indicated a sedimentation coefficient of 10.5 +/- 0.05 S (n = 2). Chromatography on an analytical gel filtration column produced a Stokes radius (Rs) of 6.4 +/- 0.07 nm (n = 5). The Rs was unchanged when the molybdate-stabilized GcR was analyzed in the presence of 400 mM KCl or when analyzed in the unpurified (cytosolic) state. In contrast, the hepatic GcR was observed to exist as a larger form in cytosol (7.7 +/- 0.2 nm). Following purification, or upon gel filtration analysis under hypertonic conditions, the Rs was similar to that of the unpurified RKcC GcR. Following removal of molybdate from RKcC GcR and thermal activation (25 degrees C/30 min), DNA-cellulose binding increased 1.5-2-fold over the unheated control. Addition of RKcC or hepatic cytosol (endogenous receptors thermally denatured at 90 degrees C/30 min or presaturated with 10(-7) M radioinert ligand) during thermal activation increased DNA-cellulose binding an additional 2-6-fold beyond the heated control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Postnatal development of adrenergic responsiveness in the rabbit heart

It is uncertain how changes in the beta-adrenoceptor population influence the contractility of developing heart. To resolve this we have examined postnatal developmental changes in the adrenergic responsiveness of the rabbit heart. The inotropic effect of isoproterenol on isolated left ventricular papillary muscles from rabbits aged 3, 21, and 90 days was compared with the relative number of beta-adrenoceptors at each age measured using [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) as the specific ligand. The maximum tension developed in response to isoproterenol increases from 37 +/- 7 to 175 +/- 33% above control twitch tension between 3 and 21 days of age; this is followed by a decrease to 68 +/- 12% in the young adult. During this period of development, there is a decline in EC50 towards increased sensitivity. These differences are partially accounted for by an increase in the numbers of specific [3H]DHA binding sites from 17.3 +/- 2.3 to 56.6 +/- 9.9 fmol/mg wet tissue weight from 3 to 21 days, and a subsequent decrease to 32 +/- 4.5 fmol/mg tissue in the young adult. The proportionally larger increase in contractility compared with the number of beta-adrenoceptor binding sites during the first 3 weeks of life is discussed in terms of the developmental changes in the efficacy of coupling between receptor occupancy and contraction.     

Characterization of the vitamin D receptor from the Caco-2 human colon carcinoma cell line: effect of cellular differentiation.

The human colon carcinoma cell line, Caco-2, is the only intestinal cell line to spontaneously differentiate in culture to a population exhibiting structural and biochemical characteristics of mature enterocytes. We conducted studies to establish the presence of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), determine changes in VDR concentration and affinity with differentiation and determine whether 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) mediates a functional response in this cell line. We found that Caco-2 cells possess a specific 1,25(OH)2D3 binding protein similar to the mammalian VDR. It has an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.72 nM, binds vitamin D analogues in order of their biological activities in vivo (1,25(OH)2D3 greater than 25(OH)D3 greater than 24,25(OH)2D3), sediments as a single peak on sucrose density gradients at 3.7 S, and is eluted from a DNA-cellulose column by 0.16 M KCl. The maximum number of binding sites was 2.6-fold greater in the differentiated cell (Day 15) compared to the preconfluent, undifferentiated (Day 4) cell (23 fmol/mg protein vs 56 fmol/mg protein). Cell growth was reduced 59% when exposed to 10(-7) M 1,25(OH)2D3 for 8 days. Alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased in cultures incubated with 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3 for up to 4 days when treatment was started in both undifferentiated cells (Day 5) and differentiated cells (Day 11). These findings suggest that the VDR present in undifferentiated and differentiated Caco-2 cells is functional. Caco-2 cells provide a unique in vitro model to study vitamin D-regulated functions in differentiated mammalian enterocytes.     

Estradiol binding components in intestinal mucosa of female rats.

The presence of estrogen binding components (EBC) in intestinal mucosa of female rats was investigated by competitive-binding assay using radiolabelled and nonlabelled estradiol 17 beta (E2). EBC were found exclusively in the nuclear fraction and were absent from the cytosolic and from the microsomal fractions. Two types of nuclear EBC with different binding characteristics and capacities were found: Kd1 = 4.8 +/- 0.8 nM, n1 = 18.4 +/- 4.2 fmol/mg protein (n1 = 83.4 +/- 12.5 fmol/mg DNA) and Kd2 = 31.1 +/- 6.8 nM, n2 = 91.1 +/- 18.5 fmol/mg protein (412.7 +/- 80.0 fmol/mg DNA). Type 1 component showed slightly greater affinity for estrogens as compared to progesterone and dexamethasone whereas type 2 component bound other competitors with even greater affinity than E2.     

Modulation of A2A adenosine receptor(s) by K+(ATP) channels in bovine brain striatal membranes

The modulation of adenosine receptor with K+(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide, was investigated using the radiolabeled A2A-receptor selective agonist [3H]CGS 21680. Radioligand binding studies in bovine brain striatal membranes (BBM) indicated that unlabeled CGS 21680 displaced the bound [3H]CGS 21680 in a concentration-dependent manner with a maximum displacement being approximately 65% at 10(-4) M. In the presence of 10(-5) M glibenclamide, unlabeled CGS 21680 increased the displacement of bound [3H]CGS 21860 by approximately 28% at 10(-4) M. [3H]CGS 21680 bound to BBM in a saturable manner to a single binding site (Kd = 10.6+/-1.71 nM; Bmax = 221.4+/-6.43 fmol/mg of protein). In contrast, [3H]CGS 21680 showed saturable binding to two sites in the presence of 10(-5) M glibenclamide; (Kd = 1.3+/-0.22 nM; Bmax = 74.3+/-2.14 fmol/mg protein; and Kd = 8.9+/-0.64 nM; Bmax = 243.2+/-5.71 fmol/mg protein), indicating modulation of adenosine A2A receptors by glibenclamide. These studies suggest that the K+(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide, modulated the adenosine A2A receptor in such a manner that [3H]CGS 21680 alone recognizes a single affinity adenosine receptor, but that the interactions between K+(ATP) channels and adenosine receptors.     

Receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in a vascular smooth muscle cell line derived from rat aorta

The presence of a specific receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) was investigated in a cell line A7r5 derived from fetal aorta. 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 binding to cytosol was saturated at 0.6-1 nM, and Scatchard analysis yielded dissociation constant and binding sites, (3.02 +/- 0.4) X 10(-11) M and 33.9 +/- 5.8 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Sucrose density gradient analysis revealed the sedimentation constant 3.2 S. Furthermore, the receptor protein had affinity for DNA-cellulose column and eluted with 0.2 M KCl. These data suggest that vascular smooth muscle cell may be a target tissue of vitamin D.