The alteration of serotonin binding sites in aged human brain

The $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ binding of [³H]serotonin ([³H]5-HT) to cerebral cortex from young and old adult humans was studied. With cortex from human males 23–29 years old, the binding of [³H]5-HT was a saturable process, and bound [³H]5-HT could be displaced by unlabeled 5-HT or by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Two separate binding sites were discernible by Scatchard analysis. The dissociation constants were 7 nM (Kd₁) and 52 nM (Kd₂), and the total number of binding sites were 0.65 (n₁) and 2.06 (n₂) pmoles/mg protein, respectively. In cerebral cortex from aged humans (61–70 years old), the dissociation constant for [³H]5-HT binding was 198 nM, and the total number of binding sites were 4.78 pmoles/mg protein. The alteration of serotonin binding sites may be related to cerebral malfunction in old people, particularly to mental depression and sleep disturbances that commonly occur.     

Pharmacologic identification of muscarinic receptors in the pylorus of the cat by binding of [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate

Muscarinic receptors in the smooth muscle of the cat pylorus (pyloric sphincter) were identified by binding of the ligand (±) [³H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([³H]-QNB). Receptor related binding of [³H]-QNB reached steady-state in thirty minutes at 37°C, was saturable, showed pharmacologic specificity and was stereoselective. An apparent equilibrium dissociation constant, K_D, of 1.9 ± 0.3 nM and maximum receptor concentration of 122 ± 13 femtomoles per mg of protein (means ± S.E.M.) were determined from Scatchard plots of [³H]-QNB binding. Hill coefficients of 0.99 and 1.01 indicated the absence of cooperative interactions. The muscarinic antagonists atropine and propantheline inhibited binding with IC₅₀ values in the nanomolar range, whereas bethanechol was over four orders of magnitude less potent. Noncholinergic agents had little or no effect on [³H]-QNB binding. The $\text{levo}$ isomer of QNB was about seventy times more effective at inhibiting binding than its $\text{dextro}$ isomer while $\text{dextro}$ benzetimide was greater than two thousand fold more active than $\text{levo}$ benzetimide. The isomers of another anticholinergic compound, tropicamide, also competed for [³H]-QNB binding sites in a stereoselective manner, the $\text{levo}$ isomer being eighty-five times more potent than the $\text{dextro}$ isomer.     

Benzodiazepine binding in human brain: characterization using [3H]flunitrazepam.

[³H]Flunitrazepam was used to characterize benzodiazepine binding sites in human brain. The benzodiazepine binding sites exhibited high affinity, pharmacological specificity and saturability in their binding of [³H]flunitrazepam. The dissociation constant (K_D) of [³H]flunitrazepam binding was determined by three different methods and found to be in the range of 2–3 nM. The potency of several benzodiazepine analogs to inhibit specific [³H]-flunitrazepam binding $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ correlated well with their potency in several $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ human and animal tests. The density of [³H]-flunitrazepam binding sites was highest in the cerebrocortical and rhinencephalic areas, intermediate in the cerebellum, and lowest in the brain stem and commissural tracts.     

Behavior of rat hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic immuno-reactive TRF in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

[³H] quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), a specific muscarinic antagonist, was utilized to identify muscarinic cholinergic receptors on dispersed anterior pituitary cells. Scatchard analysis of [³H] QNB binding to receptors departs from linearity with upward concavity. A high affinity binding site having a dissociation constant (K_d) of 1.5 nM was observed when the [³H] QNB concentration was varied from 0.15 to 20 nM. A low affinity binding site (K_d 20 nM) was observed when [³H] QNB concentration was above 20 nM. Using 10 nM [³H] QNB for binding, the second order association rate constant (k₁) of 0.064 nM^?1 min^?1 and first order dissociation rate constant (k₂) of 0.078 min^?1$\text{(}\text{T}\text{1}\text{2}\text{8}\text{min}\text{)}$ were observed. k₂/k₁ = K_d of 1.22 nM is in good agreement with K_d = 1.5 nM from equilibrium data. Muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists, atropine and scopolamine, and agonist oxtoremorine potently competed with [³H] QNB binding. A nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonist was 50 times less potent as a competitor of [³H] QNB binding than the muscarinic agonist.     

Binding of [3H]methyltrienolone to androgen receptor in rat liver

The synthetic androgen methyltrienolone is superior to testosterone and androstenedione for the measurement of androgen receptor in tissues where the native ligands are metabolized into inactive derivatives. [³H]Methyltrienolone binds with a high affinity to androgen receptor in cytosol prepared from male rat livers, as the Scatchard analysis revealed that the K_d value was 3.3 · 10^?8 M and the number of binding sites was 35.5 fmol/mg protein. Since methyltrienolone also binds glucocorticoid receptor which exists in rat liver, the apparent binding of androgen receptor is faulty when measured in the presence of glucocorticoid receptor. The binding of methyltrienolone to glucocorticoid receptor can be blocked by the presence of a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled synthetic glucocorticoid, triamcinolone acetonide, without interfering in its binding to androgen receptor, because triamcinolone does not bind to androgen receptor. Triamcinolone-blocked cytosol exhibited that the K_d value was 2.5 · 10^?8 M and the number of binding sites was 26.3 fmol/mg protein, indicating a reduction to $\text{3}\text{4}$ of that in the untreated cytosol. The profile of glycerol gradient centrifiguration indicated that [³H]methyltriemolone-bound receptor migrated in the 8–9 S region in both untreated and triamcinolone-blocked cytosols, but the 8–9 S peak in triamcinolone-blocked cytosol was reduced to about $\text{3}\text{4}$ of that of untreated cytosol.     

Temperature-sensitive high affinity [3H]serotonin binding: Characterization and effects of antidepressant treatment

Characterization of temperature-sensitive [³H]serotonin (5-HT) binding sites (1 and 4 nM Kd sites) revealed complex inhibition by neuroleptics and serotonin antagonists. There was no simple correlation with affinities for S₁ and S₂ receptors. $\text{In vivo}$ pretreatment (48 h before) with mianserin did not alter Bmax or Kd for the 1 nM Kd [³H]5-HT site, although [³H]ketanserin (S₂) densities were decreased by 50%. This suggested that possible S₂ components of [³H]5-HT binding must be negligeable, even though ketanserin competed with high affinity (IC₅₀ = 3 nM) for a portion of the 1 nM Kd [³H]5-HT site. Low concentrations of mianserin inhibited the 1 nM Kd [³H]5-HT site in a non-competitive manner, as shown by a decrease in Bmax with no change in Kd after $\text{in vitro}$ incubation. The complex inhibition data may therefore represent indirect interactions through another site.     

Properties of [3H] diazepam binding to rat peritoneal mast cells

Benzodiazepine binding to rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated using [³H] diazepam as the radioactive probe. The specific binding of [³H] diazepam reaches equilibrium within 10–15 min, is saturable and is linear with cell number. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding indicates the existence of only one class of binding sites with a K_D = 90 ± 10 nM and B_max of 261 ± 60 fmoles/10⁶ cells. The binding of [³H] diazepam is temperature dependent, the highest amount is bound at 0°C and shows a pH-optimum between pH 6.8 – 7.4. The binding of [³H] diazepam is reversible with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1.2 ± 0.2}\text{min.}$ Based on the relative potency of clonazepam and Ro5-4864 in displacing the specific [³H] diazepam binding, the binding sites in the mast cell are similar to those in the peripheral tissues like lung, liver, and kidney and are different from those in the brain. These data indicate that the mast cells have benzodiazepine binding sites which are of the peripheral type.     

Catecholamine receptors and cyclic AMP formation in the central nervous system: effects of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives.

The ability of a series of tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) alkaloids to inhibit the binding of radioligands to catecholamine receptors in the CNS has been examined. $\text{(+)}$ THP was the most potent inhibitor of [³H] dihydroalprenolol binding to β-adrenergic receptors and of [³H] haloperidol to dopaminergic receptors and was the least potent inhibitor of [³H] WB-4101 binding to α-adrenergic receptors. Other THIQ alkaloids examined such as salsoline, salsolinol, and reticuline were less potent than $\text{(+)}$ THP in inhibiting radioligand binding to β-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, and more potent than $\text{(+)}$ THP in inhibiting radioligand to α-adrenergic receptors. The marked potency of $\text{(+)}$ THP in inhibiting radioligand binding to β-adrenergic receptors (IC₅₀ ～ 10^?7 M) was confirmed by the potency of this compound in inhibiting (?) isoproternol elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP in brain slice preparations. These data indicate that, if formed $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ during alcohol consumption, THIQ derivatives such as THP may affect catecholamine neurons in the CNS.     

Demonstration of [3H] diazepam binding to benzodiazepine receptors in vivo.

Benzodiazepine receptors were labeled with [³H] diazepam following intravenous injection in rats. Binding of [³H] diazepam $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ to rat forebrain membranes was displaceable by co-injection of clonazepam or the pharmacologically active enantiomers of two benzodiazepines, B9 and B10, but was not displaced by equal doses of the pharmacologically in-active enantiomers. Binding of [³H] diazepam $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ was bserved in kidney, liver, and abdominal muscle, but was not stereospecifically diplaced in any peripheral tissue studied. The regional distribution of benzodiazepine receptors in brain was uneven, with specific [³H] diazepam binding being highest in the cerebral cortex and lowest in the ponsmedulla. Preliminary studies of the subcellular distribution of [³H] diazepam binding demonstrated highest specific binding to synaptosomal membranes. These data demonstrate the feasibility of labeling benzodiazepine receptors in rat brain $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$.     

3H] prostaglandins binding to dispersed bovine luteal cells: evidence for discrete prostaglandin receptors.

Suspensions of dispersed bovine luteal cells prepared by collagenase digestion of luteal tissue specifically bound [³H]Prostaglandin (PG) E₁ and [³H]PGF_2α. While the number of sites per cell (～ 1.8 × 10⁵) were about the same for both [³H]PGs, the apparent Kds were different: [³H]PGE₁ ? 2.4 nM; [³H]PGF_2α ? 11 nM. The [³H]PGs binding was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled PGs. Potency order for inhibition of [³H]PGE₁ binding was: PGE₂ > PGE₁ > PGF_2α > PGF_1α. The corresponding data for [³H]PGF_2α was: PGF_2α > PGF_1α > PGE₂ > PGE₁. While [³H]PGE₁ and [³H]PGF_2α bind to their own receptors with high affinity, their affinities for each other's binding were extremely low. Thus, these results demonstrate that luteal cells, like plasma membranes isolated from luteal tissue, contain receptors for PGEs and PGF_2α which are discrete with respect to specificity and affinity.     

Characterization of α2-adrenergic receptors in human platelets by binding of a radioactive ligand [3H]yohimbine

[³H]Yohimbine, a potent α₂-adrenergic antagonist, was used to label the α₂-adrenergic receptors in membranes isolated from human platelets. Binding of [³H]yohimbine to platelet membranes appears to have all the characteristics of binding to α₂-adrenergic receptors. Binding reached a steady state in 2–3 min at 37°C and was completely reversible upon the addition of excess phentolamine or yohimbine (both at 10^?5 M;$\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 2.37}\text{min}$). [³H]Yohimbine bound to a single class of noncooperative sites with a dissociation constant of 1.74 nM. At saturation, the total number of binding sites was calculated to be 191 fmol/mg protein. [³H]Yohimbine binding was stereo-specifically inhibited by epinephrine: the (?) isomer was 11-times more potent than the (+) isomer. Cathecholamine agonists competed for the occupancy of the [³H]yohimbine-binding sites with an order of potency: clonidine > (?)-epinephrine > (?)-norepinephrine >> (?)-isoproterenol. The potent α₂-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, competed for the sites whereas the β-antagonist, (±)-propanolol, was a very weak inhibitor. 0.1 mM GTP reduced the bindng affinity of the agonists, while producing no change in antagonist-binding affinity. Dopamine and serotonine competed only at very high concentrations. Similarly, muscarinic cholinergic ligands were also poor inhibitors of [³H]yohimbine binding. These results suggest tht [³H]yohimbine binding to human platelet membranes is specific, rapid, saturable, reversible and, therefore, can be successfully used to label α₂-adrenergic receptors.     

Characteristics of β-adrenergic-agonist binding to rat adipocyte membranes: Evidence that (±)-[3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol interacts selectively with the adipocyte β-adrenergic receptors

The binding characteristics of the β-adrenergic agonist $\text{(±)-[}{}^3\text{H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol}$ to rat adipocyte membranes were studied. Binding was rapid, reaching equilibrium within 10 min at 37°C (second order rate constant k₁=1.37·10⁷·M^?1·min^?1). Dissociation of specific binding by 0.5 mM (?)-isoproterenol suggested dissociation from two different sites with respective dissociation rate constants k₂ of 0.106·min^?1 and 0.011·min^?1.[³H]Hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding was saturable (B_max=690±107 fmol/mg protein), yielding curvilinear Scatchard plots. Computer modeling of these data were consistent with the existence of two classes of [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding sites, one having high affinity (K_D=3.5±0.7 nM) but low binding capacity (10% of the total sites) and one haveing low affinity (K_D=101±20 nM) but high binding capacity (90% of the sites). Adrenergic ligands competed with [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding with the following order of potency=(?)-propranolol>(?)-isoproterenol>(?)-norepinephrine≈ (?)-epinephrine>>(+)-isoproterenol=(+)-propranolo, which is consistent with binding to β₁-adrenergic receptors. Competition curves of [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding by the β-agonist (?)-isoproterenol were shallow and modeled to two affinity states of binding, whereas, competition curves by β-antagonist (?)-propranolol were steeper with Hill number near to one. Gpp[NH]p severely reduced [³H]hydroxybenzyl-isoproterenol binding, an effect which apparently resulted from the reduction of the number of both the high and low affinity sites. In membranes which had been previously exposed to (?)-isoproterenol, then number of [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding sites was reduced by 50%, an effect which apparently resulted from the loss of part of both the high and low affinity state binding sites. Finally, the ability of (?)-isoproterenol to stimulate adenylate cyclase correlate closely with the ability of (?)-isoproterenol to displace [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol binding. Comparison of these findings with the binding characteristics of the β-antagonist [³H]dihydroalprenolol to rat adipocyte membranes, led to conclude that [³H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol can be successfully used to label the β-adrenergic receptors of rat fat cells and suggests that it might be a better ligand than [³H]dihydroalprenolol in these cells.     

The influence of temperature and gamma-aminobutyric acid on benzodiazepine receptor subtypes in the hippocampus of the rat

The influence of GABA on the affinity of flunitrazepam (FLU) for benzodiazepine receptor subtypes (type I and II) was studied by measurement of the competitive inhibition of [³H]FLU and [³H]propyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate ([³H]PCC) binding. When assays were carried out at 0°C using a low concentration (0.040 nM) of [³H]PCC so that the type I receptors were selectively labelled, no significant effect of GABA (10^?4 M) on the $\text{FLU}\text{[}{}^3\text{H]}\text{PCC}$ competition curve was detected. In contrast, when assays were carried out at 0°C using [³H]FLU or a high concentration of [³H]PCC to achieve [³H]ligand receptor occupancy of both type I and type II receptors, GABA (10^?4 M) caused a significant increase in the affinity of FLU as measured by $\text{FLU}\text{[}{}^3\text{H]}\text{FLU}$ and $\text{FLU}\text{[}{}^3\text{H]}\text{PCC}$ competition experiments. Collectively, these data suggest that the influence of GABA on benzodiazepine receptor binding is mediated, primarily, by the type II receptor. It was also noted that the $\text{PCC}\text{[}{}^3\text{H]}\text{FLU}$ competition curve had a Hill coefficient of approximately 1 at 37°C as compared to the results of experiments at 0°C during which a Hill coefficient of approximately 0.7 was calculated.     

Acetylcholine stimulates hydrolysis of 32 P-labeled phosphatidic acid in guinea pig synaptosomes

[³H]-inositol or [³H]-arachidonate was injected intracerebrally into guinea pigs. Labeled nerve endings were incubated with Ach¹ or CCh, both of which stimulate labeling of PhA and PhI from ³²P_i by > 100% and 70% respectively. Their addition did not affect the $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$ labeled phosphatidyl-[³H]-inositol or [³H]-arachidonyl-diglyceride and -PhI. Enhanced hydrolysis of [³H]-inositol-PhiP and -PhIP₂ in the presence of ACh, CCh or choline was not reversed by atropine. In a two-step experiment, PhA was labeled with ³²P_i, and DNP was added to block further $\text{γ-[}{}^{32}\text{P]-ATP}$ formation. Addition of ACh stimulated an atropine-sensitive $\text{decrease}$ in [³²P]-PhA.     

Effects of endometrium on metabolismof arachidonic acid by bovine blastocysts in vitro

The effects of endometrium on metabolism of [³H]-arachidonic acid ([³H]-AA) by bovine blastocysts recovered on day 19 postmating were studied $\text{in vitro}$. Blastocysts (n = 12) and endometrial slices were assigned to four incubation groups. In group 1, blastocysts were incubated alone; group 2, endometrial slices were incubated alone; group 3, blastocysts were incubated with endometrial slices; group 4, blastocysts were incubated in 7.5 ml fresh incubation medium plus 7.5 ml frozen-thawed medium from endometrial incubations. In all groups, tissues were incubated in 15 ml modified minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 5 μCi of [³H]-AA and 200 μg radioinert arachidonic acid for 24 h at 37°C in an atmosphere of 50% N₂:45% O₂:5% CO₂. For incubation controls, 5 μCi of [³H]-AA were added to 15 ml MEM and incubated at the same time as tissues from each cow. To evaluate metabolism of [³H]-AA, [³H]-AA and its metabolites were extracted from aliquots of MEM and separated on columns of Sephadex LH-20. Most (78.3 ± 3.2%) of the radioactivity (dpm) in the incubation controls was recovered as [³H]-AA, indicating that there was little breakdown of [³H]-AA in the absence of tissue. Blastocysts produced compounds that migrated with [³H]-13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF_2^α ([²H]-PGFM), [³H]-PGE₂ and [³H]-PGF_2^α. Endometrial slices metabolized very little of the [³H]-AA. Data from groups 1 and 4 were combined (group $\text{1}\text{4}$) for analysis because the distribution of dpm did not differ between the two groups. In group 3, blastocysts and endometrial slices incubated together tended(P<.10) to produced more [³H]-PGE₂ than did group $\text{1}\text{4}$, there tended to be less (P<.10)_[³H]-PGF_2^α, and there was more (P<.05) [³H]-PGFM than in group $\text{1}\text{4}$. Neither endometrial secretions nor endometrial slices altered the proportion of [³H]-AA metabolized by blastocysts. Endometrial slices appear capable of metabolizing [³H]-PGF_2^α synthesized by blastocysts, and capable of directing blastocyst metabolism of [³H]-AA away from synthesis of [³H]-PGF_2^α and toward synthesis of [³H]-PGE₂. It is postulated that the endometrium has an important role in regulating the amounts and ratios of prostaglandins in th uterine lumen during early prenancy in cows.     

Concentrative accumulation of 3H-prostaglandins by some rabbit tissues in vitro: The chemical nature of the accumulated 3H-labelled substances

Following incubation with [³H]-PGF_2α, 73–91% of the ³H activity accumulated by rabbit uterus, choroid plexus or anterior uvea was shown to remain associated with PGF_2α on two different chromatographic systems. The tissue to medium ratios, calculated on the basis of chromatographically identified [³H]-PGF_2α, were greater than unity (2.3–10.4) for all three tissues and the extracted ³H activity could be effectively accumulated by these tissues for a second time. Under conditions when 85% of authentic [³H]-PGF_2α and only 8% of [³H]-15-keto-PGF_2α was adsorbed on rabbit anti-PGF_2α serum, 60–75% of the extracted ³H was adsorbed onto the antiserum. Following incubation with a mixture of 5,6-[³H]-PGE₁ and 2-[¹⁴C]-PGE₁, the anterior uvea and the uterus showed similar $\text{T}\text{M}$ ratios for ³H and ¹⁴C and the ${}^3\text{H}{}^{14}\text{C}$ ratios were essentially constant in their respective homogenates, extracts and chromatographic fractions, indicating insignificant β-oxidation of the accumulated PGE₁. In the case of the kidney cortex, a substantial fraction of the accumulated ¹⁴C did not extract as a PG presumably as a result of β-oxidation. It is concluded that metabolic alteration of the accumulated PG molecule does occur in some tissues, but such chemical alterations are not an integral part of the PG accumulative process. These results are consistent with the concept that some vertebrate tissues can accumulate PGs against a concentration gradient by an active transport mechanism.     

[3H] BOC [NLE28,31]CCK27−33, a new highly labelle ligand for CCK receptors: Binding on brain and on pancreas

Preliminary results on the binding of [³H]Boc[Nle^28,31]CCK_27^?33, designated [³H]Boc[diNle]CCK₇, on mouse brain and rat pancreas membranes are presented. This new ligand for CCK receptors possesses a high specific activity (144 Ci/mmole), and binds in a saturable manner to mouse brain (Kd = 0.49 nM, Bmax = 49 fmoles/mg protein) and rat pancreas (Kd = 4.4 nM, Bmax = 696 fmoles/mg protein). Unlabelled Boc[diNle]CCK₇ displaces [¹²⁵I]CCK₈ from its binding sites on mouse brain membranes with a high affinity, slightly superior to that of CCK₈. The order of potencies to displace [³H]Boc[diNle]CCK₇ from its binding sites was the same on mouse brain and rat pancreas: $\text{[}{}^3\text{HBoc[diNle]CCK}{}_7\text{>}\text{CCK}{}_8\text{,}\text{Boc-CCK}{}_7\text{>}\text{non-sulfated CCK}{}_8$, the pancreas binding sites being more discriminative than the brain binding sites. Thus, [³H]Boc[diNle]CCK₇ is a very promising new probe for the characterization of CCK receptors and their interaction with different CCK fragments.     

Properties of [3H]diazepam binding sites on rat blood platelets

Intact rat blood platelets are shown to possess benzodiazepine binding sites of the peripheral type, binding of [³H]diazepam being strongly inhibited by Ro5-4864 (K_i = 3.6 ± 0.5 nM) but only weakly inhibited by clonazepam (K_i = 35.1 ± 18.2 μM). Binding of [³H]diazepam is specific and saturable. Scatchard analysis reveals a single class of binding sites with K_D = 14.7 ± 1.0 nM and B_max = 564 ± 75 fmoles/10⁸ platelets. The Hill coefficient is 0.94, indicating a lack of binding site heterogeneity or negative cooperativity. Binding reaches equiliibrium at 6 min, with k₊₁ = 2.9 × 10⁷ M^?1 min^?1, and is rapidly reversible ($\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext><mtext>\; =\; 2.2\; </mtext><mtext>min</mtext>}}$ with K_?1 = 0.315 min^?1. K_D derived from the rate constants agrees with that estimated by Scatchard analysis. K_D of the crude membrane fraction of platelets is also close to that of intact platelets. Binding of [³H]diazepam is linear with platelet number (between 0.25–2 × 10⁸ platelets), is temperature sensitive with maximum binding at 0°C, and has a broad optimal pH range between pH 5–9.     

A study on the stability of an estrogen-protein conjugate in vivo and under in vitro conditions

[³ H] Estradiol-17β-succinyl bovine serum albumin conjugate ([³H]-E₂-BSA) was synthesized with a specific activity of 1.92 × 10⁷ cts/min/mg. The conjugate was administered iv to ovariectomized rats and the quantity of free [³H] steroid in the uterus was determined. Radioactive material was detected in all of the subcellular fractions of the uterus and identified as estradlol-17β. Similar subcellular distribution of the radioactivity was observed when [³H]E₂-BSA was added $\text{in vitro}$ to uterine homogenate. Free estradlo1-17β was released when the conjugate was Incubated with rat uterine homogenate or with serum. The results of the present study suggest that E₂-BSA is hydrolyzed $\text{in vivo}$ and under $\text{in vitro}$ conditions. It is recommended that the stability of a hormone-protein conjugate be established before use.     

Chemically tritiated tetrodotoxin: physiological activity and binding to Na-channels

A new method is used to tritiate tetrodotoxin:starting with tetrodotoxin, acetylanhydrotetrodotoxin is formed which is then reacted in $\text{T}{}_2\text{O}\text{TCl}$ to [³H]tetrodotoxin. The formation of the intermediate and of the tritiated product is analytically monitored by bioassay. After purification [³H]tetrodotoxin is obtained at a specific activity of 18 Ci/mmol. No back exchange of tritium was observed under physiological conditions. The binding of [³H]tetrodotoxin to voltage-sensitive Na channels was studied with membrane fragments from Electrophorus electricus electric organ. Binding studies were carried out by variation of the concentration of [³H]tetrodotoxin and by competition between [³H]tetrodotoxin and reference tetrodotoxin. The apparent dissociation constant for binding to Na channels in these membrane fragments is K_D = (20 ± 10) nM. In contrast, [³H]tetrodotoxin blocks Na current in Rana esculenta nodes with an apparent K_D = 3 nM. The difference may be due to a higher density of negative surface charges at the nodal regions.