Role of secretory component, a secreted glycoprotein, in the specific uptake of IgA dimer by epithelial cells.

The binding of secretory component (SC) to epithelial cells and its role in the specific uptake of immunoglobulin A (IgA) dimer has been studied in rabbit mammary gland and liver. SC, Mr approximately 80,000, secreted by epithelial cells of the mammary gland was found associated with the cell surface of mammary cells in intact tissue. Dispersed mammary cells and plasma membrane-enriched fractions obtained from mammary glands of midpregnant rabbits bound 125I-labeled SC in a saturable time- and temperature-dependent process. The association rate followed a second order reversible reaction (k+1 approximately equal to 2.7 x 10(6) M-1 min-1 at 4 degrees C) and equilibrium was reached in about 4 h at 4 degrees C. The dissociation rate for membranes was first order (k-1 approximately equal to 1.7 x 10(-2) min-1 at 4 degrees C), whereas displacement from cells was incomplete. The apparent affinity constant was similar for membranes and cells (Ka approximately equal to 5 x 10(8) M-1) with one class of binding sites. The number of binding sites varied from one animal to another (260 to 7,000 sites/mammary cell) in relation to endogenous occupancy by SC, which was assessed by immunocytochemistry and complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Rabbit liver and heart membranes did not bind SC, and serum proteins present in rabbit milk failed to interact with mammary cells or membranes. Mammary membranes or cells and liver membranes bound 125I-labeled IgA dimer in a saturable, reversible time- and temperature-dependent process. Association and dissociation rate constants at 4 degrees C (k+1 approximately equal to 5 x 10(6) M-1 min-1 and k-1 approximately equal to 5 x 10(-3) min-1, respectively) and the apparent affinity constant (Ka approximately equal to 10(9) M-1) were similar for liver and mammary membranes; these parameters differed, however, from those reported for free SC-IgA dimer interaction. The binding capacity of membranes for IgA dimer was directly related to the amount of free SC bound to membranes. Interaction of IgA dimer with mammary or liver membranes or cells was abrogated by excess of free SC and was prevented by preincubation of membranes or cells with Fab antibody fragments directed against SC. These data indicate that the first step in the translocation process of polymeric immunoglobulins across epithelia consists of binding of SC to the surface of epithelial cells which in turn acts as a receptor for the specific uptake of IgA dimer.     

Thermodynamics of reversible monomer-dimer association of tubulin

The equilibrium between the rat brain tubulin alpha beta dimer and the dissociated alpha and beta monomers has been studied by analytical ultracentrifugation with use of a new method employing short solution columns, allowing rapid equilibration and hence short runs, minimizing tubulin decay. Simultaneous analysis of the equilibrium concentration distributions of three different initial concentrations of tubulin provides clear evidence of a single equilibrium characterized by an association constant, Ka, of 4.9 X 10(6) M-1 (Kd = 2 X 10(-7) M) at 5 degrees, corresponding to a standard free energy change on association delta G degrees = -8.5 kcal mol-1. Colchicine and GDP both stabilize the dimer against dissociation, increasing the Ka values (at 4.5 degrees C) to 20 X 10(6) and 16 X 10(6) M-1, respectively. Temperature dependence of association was examined with multiple three-concentration runs at temperatures from 2 to 30 degrees C. The van't Hoff plot was linear, yielding positive values for the enthalpy and entropy changes on association, delta S degrees = 38.1 +/- 2.4 cal deg-1 mol-1 and delta H degrees = 2.1 +/- 0.7 kcal mol-1, and a small or zero value for the heat capacity change on association, delta C p degrees. The entropically driven association of tubulin monomers is discussed in terms of the suggested importance of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of the monomer association and is compared to the thermodynamics of dimer polymerization.     

Thermolysis of coenzymes B12 at physiological temperatures: activation parameters for cobalt-carbon bond homolysis and a quantitative analysis of the perturbation of the homolysis equilibrium by the ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii

The kinetics of the thermolysis of 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl, coenzyme B12) in aqueous solution, pH 7.5, have been studied in the temperature range 30-85 degrees C using AdoCbl tritiated at the adenine C2 position and the method of initial rates. Combined with a careful analysis of the distribution of adenine-containing products, the results permit the dissection of the competing rate constants for carbon-cobalt bond homolysis and heterolysis. After correction for the temperature-dependent occurrence of the much less reactive base-off species of AdoCbl, the activation parameters for homolysis of the base-on species were found to be delta H++homo,on = 33.8 +/- 0.2 kcal mol-1 and delta S++homo,on = 13.5 +/- 0.7 cal mol-1 K-1, values not significantly different from those determined by Hay and Finke (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108 (1986) 4820), in the temperature range 85-115 degrees C. In contrast, the heterolysis of base-on AdoCbl was characterized by a much smaller enthalpy of activation (delta H++het,on = 18.5 +/- 0.2 kcal mol-1) and a negative entropy of activation (delta S++het,on = -34.0 +/- 0.7 cal mol-1 K-1) so that heterolysis, which is minor pathway at elevated temperatures, is the dominant pathway for AdoCbl decomposition at physiological temperatures. Using literature values for the rate constant for the reverse reaction, the equilibrium constant for AdoCbl homolysis at 37 degrees C was calculated to be 7.9 x 10(-18). Comparison with the equilibrium constant for this homolysis at the active site of the ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii shows that the enzymes shifts the equilibrium constant towards homolysis products by a factor of 2.9 x 10(12) (17.7 kcal mol-1) by binding the thermolysis products with an equilibrium constant of 7.1 x 10(16) M-2, compared to the bonding constant for AdoCbl of 2.4 x 10(4) M-1.     

Interaction of the Escherichia coli trp aporepressor with its ligand, L-tryptophan

We have examined the interaction of the Escherichia coli trp aporepressor with its ligand, L-tryptophan, using both equilibrium dialysis and flow dialysis methods. Results obtained by the two procedures were equivalent and indicate that the trp aporepressor binds L-tryptophan with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 40 microM at 25 degrees C under standard binding assay conditions (10 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.4, 0.2 M potassium chloride, 0.1 mM EDTA, 5% glycerol). Molecular sizing of the purified trp aporepressor shows that in the absence of ligand the regulatory protein exists as a dimeric species with greater than 99% purity and an apparent molecular weight of 30,000. Under the storage and assay conditions used, the dimer appears quite stable, and essentially no monomer or higher multimeric species are detected. Analysis of binding data by Scatchard and direct linear plot methods shows two identical and independent ligand-binding sites/native trp aporepressor dimer. When examined as a function of temperature, L-tryptophan binding by trp aporepressor varied over 7-fold (Kd = 28 microM at 6.5 degrees C to Kd = 217 microM at 40 degrees C). At the optimal growth temperature for E. coli (37 degrees C), the dissociation constant was 160 microM for the ligand, L-tryptophan. From the relationship between temperature and L-tryptophan binding by trp aporepressor, the apparent enthalpy change delta H = -10.6 +/- 0.6 kcal mol-1 and the apparent entropy change delta S = -17 +/- 2 cal degree-1 mol-1 were determined.     

Solubilization and partial characterization of the sex hormone-binding globulin receptor from human prostate

The sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) receptor was solubilized from the membranes of human prostate glands with the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonic acid). The binding activity of the soluble receptor was measured by allowing it to bind to 125I-SHBG and precipitating the complex with polyethylene glycol-8000. The binding activity was stable for at least 4 months at -20 degrees C and had a half-life of 23 days at 4 degrees C. Like the membrane-bound receptor, Scatchard analysis revealed two sets of binding sites for the soluble one. At equilibrium (24 h), the high affinity site had an association constant (KA) of 6.8 x 10(8) M-1 and a binding capacity of 1.4 pmol/mg protein, whereas the low affinity site had a KA of 4.7 x 10(6) M-1 and a binding capacity of 43 pmol/mg protein. At 37 degrees C, the association rate constant (k1) was 8.37 x 10(5) M-1 min-1 and the dissociation rate constant (k2) was 3.43 x 10(-4) min-1. The soluble receptor was retarded on Sepharose CL-6B and had an apparent Mr = 167,000.     

A high affinity, highly selective ligand for the delta opioid receptor: [3H]-[D-Pen2, pCl-Phe4, d-Pen5]enkephalin

Binding characteristics of a new, conformationally constrained, halogenated enkephalin analogue, [3H]-[D-penicillamine2, pCl-Phe4, D-penicillamine5]enkephalin ([3H]pCl-DPDPE), were determined using homogenized rat brain tissue. Saturation binding studies at 25 degrees C determined a dissociation constant (Kd) of 328 +/- 27.pM and a receptor density (Bmax) of 87.2 +/- 4.2 fmol/mg protein. Kinetic studies demonstrated biphasic association for [3H]pCl-DPDPE, with association rate constants of 5.05 x 10(8) +/- 2.5 x 10(8) and 0.147 +/- 10(8) +/- 0.014 x 10(8) M-1 min-1. Dissociation was monophasic with a dissociation rate constant of 2.96 x 10(-3) +/- 0.25 x 10(-3) min-1. The average Kd values determined by these kinetic studies were 8.4 +/- 2.7 pM and 201 +/- 4 pM. Competitive inhibition studies demonstrated that [3H]pCl-DPDPE has excellent selectively for the delta opioid receptor. [3H]pCl-DPDPE binding was inhibited by low concentrations of ligands selective for delta opioid receptor relative to the concentrations required by ligands selective for mu and kappa sites. These data show that [3H]pCl-DPDPE is a highly selective, high affinity ligand which should be useful in characterizing the delta opioid receptor.     

The kinetics of mebendazole binding to Haemonchus contortus tubulin.

The kinetics of the binding of mebendazole (MBZ) to tubulin from the third-stage (L3) larvae of the parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus, have been characterized. In partially purified preparations, the association of [3H]MBZ to nematode tubulin was rapid, k1 = (2.6 +/- 0.3) x 10(5) M-1 min-1, but dissociation was slow, k-1 = (1.58 +/- 0.02) x 10(-3) min-1. The affinity constant (K(a)) for the interaction, determined by the ratio k1/k-1, was (1.6 +/- 0.2) x 10(8) M-1. Similar results were obtained with crude cytosolic fractions. In equilibrium studies, performed with partially purified nematode tubulin under similar conditions, a K(a) of (5.3 +/- 1.6) x 10(6) M-1 was obtained. The best estimate for the K(a) of the MBZ-nematode tubulin interaction is considered to be the 'kinetic' value determined from the ratio of rate constants. The slow dissociation of MBZ from nematode tubulin, which contrasts with the rapid dissociation of MBZ from mammalian tubulin, supports the hypothesis that the selective toxicity of the benzimidazole anthelmintics results from a difference between the affinities of mammalian and nematode tubulins for these drugs.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic evidence of a molybdate interaction with glucocorticoid receptor in calf thymus

The effect of molybdate on the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the dexamethasone-receptor interaction was studied in calf thymus cytosol. In the presence of molybdate both the equilibrium binding studies and the association and dissociation experiments reveal a significantly lower affinity of the receptor for [3]dexamethasone. At 0 degrees C the equilibrium dissociation constant increases from 0.8 nM to 1.8 nM, the association rate constant shifts from 1.5 X 10(8) M-1 h-1 to 0.2 X 10(8) M-1 h-1, whereas the rate of dissociation of the untransformed receptor increases from 0.04 h-1 to 1.1 h-1 in the molybdate-containing buffer. All these effects appear dependent on the concentration of molybdate but the dissociation of the transformed receptor (0.01 h-1) is unaffected. The enthalpy for the association, delta H not equal to, increases at least twofold whereas the entropy, both for the association (delta S not equal to = -25 to +104 J K-1 mol-1) and for the equilibrium (delta S degrees = -100 to +38 J K-1 mol-1), is markedly influenced by the presence of molybdate. Taken all together these data suggest that molybdate interacts with the receptor molecule turning it into a form that displays low affinity for steroid, in addition to the well-documented incapacity to transform itself. This fact leads us to think that both the binding and the transformation are the expression of conformational modifications involving molybdate-sensitive groups.     

A method for determining binding kinetics applied to thiamine-binding protein

A rapid and simple method for assaying the binding activity of thiamine-binding protein is described. By this assay method, the binding characteristics of rice bran thiamine-binding protein have been evaluated with [14C]thiamine as ligand. Analysis of these data by Scatchard plot resulted in linear plots giving a dissociation constant (Kd) for thiamine of 0.55 microM and a maximum binding (Bmax) of 14.5 pmol of ligand bound/microgram of protein. Thiamine binding to the binding protein was time dependent and reached equilibrium at approximately 20 min. The Kob was 0.18 min-1 and the k1 was 1.25 X 10(5) min-1 M-1. Reversibility of thiamine binding at equilibrium was completed at 60 min with a k2 value of 0.052 min-1. The Kd calculated from the reverse rate constant was 0.42 microM. These results indicated that this binding assay method was substantially reliable and accurate.     

Binding of transferrin-iron to the plasma membrane of a lactating rabbit mammary gland cell

1. Cells isolated from a lactating rabbit mammary gland have been investigated for transferrin-iron receptors. The existence of these structures has been demonstrated through a specific binding with a competitor non-labelled rabbit transferrin. 2. The interaction of iron-receptor complex depends on the concentration of [59Fe]transferrin, the number of cells and the time. 3. Scatchard's plot of data indicates two classes of receptor sites: one with a binding capacity 6.48 x 10(-9) g Fe per cell and affinity constant 2.48 x 10(10) M-1 and another with 1.06 x 10(-8) g Fe per cell and 4.66 x 10(11) M-1 respectively. 4. The probable mechanism of the iron transport from blood to milk through the lactating cell was discussed.     

Interaction of di-iodinated 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin and reversible cholinergic ligands with intact synaptic acetylcholine receptors on isolated skeletal-muscle fibres from the rat.

1. Intact synaptic acetylcholine receptors on freshly isolated rat skeletal-muscle fibres were characterized by their interaction with di-iodinated 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin, acetylcholine and other cholinergic ligands at room temperature (22 deggrees C). 2. The time course and concentration dependence of 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin association conformed to a bimolecular mechanism. In time-course experiments with different concentrations of 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin (1.4--200 nM) the bimolecular-association rate constant, k + 1, was (2.27 +/- 0.49) x 10(4)M-1.S-1 (mean +/- S.D., N = 10). In concentration-dependence experiments, k + 1 was 2.10 x 10(4)M-1.S-1 and 1.74 x 10(4) M-1.S-1 with 10 and 135 min incubations respectively. In association experiments the first-order rate constant was proportional to the 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin concentration. 125I-Labelled alpha-bungarotoxin dissociation was first order with a dissociation constant, k-1, less than or equal to 3 x 10(-6)S(-1) (half-life greater than or equal to 60 h.) The results indicated a single class of high-affinity toxin-binding sites at the end-plate with an equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, equal to or less than 100 pM. The number of toxin-binding sites was (3.62 +/- 0.46) x 10(7) (mean +/- S.D., n = 22) per rat end-plate. 3. The apparent inhibitor dissociation constants, Ki, for reversible cholinergic ligands were determined by studying their effect at equilibrium on the rate of 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin binding. There was heterogeneity of binding sites for cholinergic ligands, which were independent and non-interacting with antagonists. In contrast agonist affinity decreased with increasing receptor occupancy. Cholinergic ligands in excess inhibited over 90% of 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin binding. 4. Cholinergic ligand binding was accompanied by an increase in entropy, which was greater for the agonist carbachol (delta So = +0.46 kJ.mol-1.K-1) than the antagonist tubocurarine (delta So = +0.26 kJ.mol-1.K-1). 5. The entropy and affinity changes that accompanied agonist binding suggested that agonists induced significant conformational changes in intact acetylcholine receptors. 6. The affinity and specificity of 125I-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin and tubocurarine binding to synaptic acetylcholine receptors from slow and fast muscle fibres were the same. 7. The study of binding only requires milligram amounts of tissue and may have application to other neurobiological studies and to the study of human neuromuscular disorders.     

Effect of a pentosan polysulphate upon thrombin and factor Xa inactivation by antithrombin III.

The kinetics of inhibition of human and bovine alpha-thrombin and human factor Xa by antithrombin III were examined under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of the concentration of pentosan polysulphate [a fully sulphated (beta 1-4)-linked D-xylopyranose with a single laterally positioned 4-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucuronic acid]. Double-reciprocal plots of the observed first-order rate constant against concentration of pentosan polysulphate gave straight lines, intercepts on the axes giving values for maximum increase in second-order rate constant (by calculation) and apparent dissociation constant. These values were: for human alpha-thrombin 1.52 X 10(7) M-1 . min-1 and 3.6 microM respectively, for bovine alpha-thrombin 6.56 X 10(6) M-1 . min-1 and 0.16 microM and for factor Xa 6.86 X 106 M-1 . min-1 and 20 microM. In the presence of pentosan polysulphate the dissociation constant for the initial complex of antithrombin III and thrombin was shown to be reduced from approx. 2 X 10(-3) M to 61 X 10(-6) M without apparent change in the limiting rate constant of 750 min-1. An oligosaccharide (primarily 8-10 saccharide units) prepared from heparin and with high affinity for antithrombin III but low potency in the thrombin-antithrombin III interaction did not diminish the rate of interaction catalysed by pentosan polysulphate. The catalysis was shown to be due to a weak electrostatic interaction, since it was completely reversed by concentrations of NaCl greater than 0.3 M. It is concluded that the mechanism is independent of the heparin high-affinity binding site on antithrombin III and is probably due to binding of the high-charge-density polysaccharide to the proteinase. It is calculated that the acceleration in rate achieved, although lower than that of heparin, approaches that required to be of physiological significance and may be of importance in the anticoagulation role of antithrombin III at sites of high charge density which may occur in vivo.     

Interaction of very low density lipoprotein with chicken oocyte membranes

The interaction of hen 125I-VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) with chicken oocyte membranes was characterized using a rapid sedimentation assay. Equilibrium and kinetic studies showed an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) 8.7-9.1 x 10(-8) M or 43.5-45.5 micrograms VLDL protein/ml. Binding capacity was 2.0 micrograms VLDL protein/mg membrane homogenate protein. The apparent rate constants were k1 = 2.4 x 10(5) M-1 min-1 and k2 = 2.1 x 10(-2) min-1. Specific binding required the presence of divalent cations. Whereas binding was completely restored after treatment with EDTA by the addition of MN++, only 60% of binding was restored using Ca++.     

Biochemical characterization of positive cooperativity in the binding of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to its chick intestinal chromatin receptor

We have characterized a positive cooperativity mechanism in the binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) to its chick duodenum chromatin receptor. The Hill plot which can take account of the possibility of cooperativity resulted in a much better fitting of the experimental data than the Scatchard model (r = +0.998 versus r = -0.94). Concentrating the chromatin receptor preparation from 10 to 40% resulted in an increase of the Hill coefficient (nH) from 1.09 +/- 0.08 to 1.46 +/- 0.08 (S.D.). Increasing the temperature of incubation from 1 degree C to 40 degrees C resulted in a decrease of nH from 1.46 +/- 0.08 to 1.10 +/- 0.02 (S.D.). The calculation of the thermodynamics of the interaction of 1,25-(OH)2D3 with the second binding site of the receptor (from a Van't Hoff plot) showed that this process occurred spontaneously (delta G0 = -11.6 kcal X mol-1 at 1 degree C), was entropy-driven (delta S0 = +26 cal degree-1 mol-1), and was energy-requiring (delta H0 = -4.37 kcal X mol-1). The temperature controlled reversibility of the cooperativity demonstrates that this phenomenon is not an artifact. Finally, in a study of the rate of dissociation of [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 from the duodenal receptor preparation, we have found two slopes (k-1 = 32 X 10(-3) min-1; k-2 = 3.2 X 10(-3) min-1); this suggests the existence of two species of receptor. These receptor species could result possibly from either a monomer-dimer system or from a conformational change of a monomer via site-site interactions. In conclusion, the positive cooperativity in the binding of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to the two binding sites of its intestinal receptor is an entropy-driven process and requires energy, is reversible with temperature, and has been shown to take place in concentrated chromatin aggregates.     

Binding of branched-chain 2-oxo acids to bovine serum albumin.

1. Binding of branched-chain 2-oxo acids to defatted bovine serum albumin was shown by gel chromatography and equilibrium dialysis. 2. Equilibrium-dialysis data suggest a two-side model for binding in Krebs-Henseleit saline at 37 degrees C with n1 = 1 and n2 = 5. Site association constants were: 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate, k1 = 8.7 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = 0.09 x 10(3) M-1; 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, k1 = 9.8 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = 0.08 x 10(3) M-1; 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, k1 = 1.27 x 10(3) M-1, k2 = less than 0.05 x 10(3) M-1. 3. Binding of 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate to defatted albumin in a phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, gave the following thermodynamic parameters: primary site delta H0(1) = -28.6kJ . mol-1 and delta S0(1) = -15.2J . mol-1 . K-1 (delta G0(1) = -24.0kJ . mol-1 at 37 degrees C) and secondary sites delta H0(2) = -25.4kJ . mol-1 and delta S0(2) = -46.1J . mol-1 . K-1 (delta G0(1) = -11.2kJ . mol-1 at 37 degrees C). Thus binding at both sites is temperature-dependent and increases with decreasing temperature. 4. Inhibition studies suggest that 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate may associate with defatted albumin at a binding site for medium-chain fatty acids. 5. Binding of the 2-oxo acids in bovine, rat and human plasma follows a similar pattern to binding to defatted albumin. The proportion bound in bovine and human plasma is much higher than in rat plasma. 6. Binding to plasma protein, and not active transport, explains the high concentration of branched-chain 2-oxo acids leaving rat skeletal muscle relative to the concentration within the tissue, but does not explain the 2-oxo acid concentration gradient between plasma and liver.     

Thermodynamic analysis of monoclonal antibody binding to duplex DNA.

A technique based on fluorescence polarization (anisotropy) was used to measure the binding of antibodies to DNA under a variety of conditions. Fluorescein-labeled duplexes of 20 bp in length were employed as the standard because they are stable even at low ionic strength yet sufficiently short so that both arms of an IgG cannot bind to the same duplex. IgG Jel 274 binds duplexes in preference to single-stranded DNA; in 80 mM NaCl Kobs for (dG)20.(dC)20 is 4.1x10(7) M-1 compared with 6.4x10(5) M-1 for d(A5C10A5). There is little sequence specificity, but the interaction is very dependent on ionic strength. From plots of log Kobs against log[Na+] it was deduced that five or six ion pairs are involved in complex formation. At low ionic strength,Kobs is independent of temperature and complex formation is entropy driven with DeltaH degrees obs and DeltaC degrees p,obs both zero. In contrast, in 80 mM NaCl DeltaC degrees p,obs is -630 and -580 cal mol-1K-1 for [d(TG)]10.[d(CA)]10 and (dG)20.(dC)20 respectively. IgG Jel 241 also binds more tightly to duplexes than single-stranded DNA, but sequence preferences were apparent. The values for Kobs to [d(AT)]20 and [d(GC)]20 are 2.7x10(8) and 1.3x10(8) M-1 respectively compared with 5.7x10(6) M-1 for both (dA)20. (dT)20 and (dG)20.(dC)20. As with Jel 274, the binding of Jel 241 is very dependent on ionic strength and four or five ionic bonds are involved in complex formation with all the duplex DNAs which were tested. DeltaC degrees p,obs for Jel 241 binding to [d(AT)]20 was negative (-87 cal mol-1K-1) in 80 mM NaCl but was zero at high ionic strength (130 mM NaCl). Therefore, for duplex-specific DNA binding antibodies DeltaC degrees p,obs is dependent on [Na+] and a large negative value does not correlate with sequence-specific interactions.     

The kinetics of hemostatic enzyme-antithrombin interactions in the presence of low molecular weight heparin

The kinetics of inhibition of four hemostatic system enzymes by antithrombin were examined as a function of heparin concentration. Plots of the initial velocity of factor Xa-antithrombin or plasmin-antithrombin interaction versus the level of added mucopolysaccharide exhibit an ascending limb and subsequent plateau regions. In each case, the kinetic profile is closely correlated with the concentration of the heparin . antithrombin complex formed within the reaction mixture. A decrease in the velocity of inhibition is not observed at high levels of added mucopolysaccharide despite the generation of significant quantities of heparin-enzyme interaction products. The second-order rate constants for the neutralization of factor Xa or plasmin by the mucopolysaccharide . inhibitor complex are 2.4 x 10(8) M-1 min-1 and 4.0 x 10(6) M-1 min-1, respectively. These parameters must be contrasted with the similarly designated constants obtained in the absence of heparin which are 1.88 x 10(5) M-1 min-1 and 4.0 x 10(4) M-1 min-1, respectively. Plots of the initial velocity of the factor IXa-antithrombin or the thrombin-antithrombin interaction versus the level of added mucopolysaccharide exhibit an ascending limb, pseudoplateau, descending limb, and final plateau regions. In each case, the ascending limb and pseudoplateau are closely correlated with the concentration of heparin c antithrombin complex formed within the reaction mixture. Furthermore, the descending limb and final plateau of these two processes coincide with the generation of increasing amounts of the respective mucopolysaccharide-enzyme interaction products. The second-order rate constants for the neutralization of factor IXa or thrombin by the heparin . antithrombin complex are 3.0 x 10(8) M-1 min-1 and 1.7 x 10(9) M-1 min-1, respectively. The second-order rate constants for the inhibition of mucopolysaccharide-factor IXa or mucopolysaccharide-thrombin interaction products by the heparin . antithrombin complex are 2.0 x 10(7) M-1 min-1 and 3.0 x 10(8) M-1 min-1, respectively. These kinetic parameters must be contrasted with similarly designated constants obtained in the absence of mucopolysaccharide which are 2.94 x 10(4) M-1 min-1 and 4.25 x 10(5) M-1 min-1, respectively. Thus, our data demonstrate that binding of heparin to antithrombin is required for the mucopolysaccharide-dependent enhancement in the rates of neutralization of thrombin, factor IXa, factor Xa, or plasmin by the protease inhibitor. Furthermore, a careful comparison of the various constants suggests that the direct interaction between heparin and antithrombin may be largely responsible for the kinetic effect of this mucopolysaccharide.     

Beta-adrenergic receptors and myogenesis.

The rat myogenic cell line, L8, contains a beta-adrenergic catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Prior to cell fusion, and continuing thereafter, beta-adrenergic sites, as determined by the stereospecific binding of (125I)-hydroxybenqylpindolol, I1(125I)IHYP] increases from 470 to 2000 sites/cell. There is also an increase in adenylate cyclase (2-5 fold) and endogenous cAMP (5-30 fold) following stimulation by catecholamine. The dissociation constant (KD) of (125I)IHYP for unfused and fused cell-homogenates, as determined by estimation with Scatchard analysis, by direct determination at receptor concentrations well below the KD, or by association (4.6 X 10(8) M-1 min-1); and dissociation (0.028 min-1) kinetics; ranged from about 40 to 70 pM. The acquisition of beta-receptors prior to fusion in L8 cells may implicate this system in the regulation of myogenesis.     

Thermodynamics of DNA hairpins: contribution of loop size to hairpin stability and ethidium binding.

A combination of calorimetric and spectroscopic techniques was used to evaluate the thermodynamic behavior of a set of DNA hairpins with the sequence d(GCGCTnGCGC), where n = 3, 5 and 7, and the interaction of each hairpin with ethidium. All three hairpins melt in two-state monomolecular transitions, with tm's ranging from 79.1 degrees C (T3) to 57.5 degrees C (T7), and transition enthalpies of approximately 38.5 kcal mol-1. Standard thermodynamic profiles at 20 degrees C reveal that the lower stability of the T5 and T7 hairpins corresponds to a delta G degree term of +0.5 kcal mol-1 per thymine residue, due to the entropic ordering of the thymine loops and uptake of counterions. Deconvolution of the ethidium-hairpin calorimetric titration curves indicate two sets of binding sites that correspond to one ligand in the stem with binding affinity, Kb, of approximately 1.8 x 10(6) M-1, and two ligands in the loops with Kb of approximately 4.3 x 10(4) M-1. However, the binding enthalpy, delta Hb, ranges from -8.6 (T3) to -11.6 kcal mol-1 (T7) for the stem site, and -6.6 (T3) to -12.7 kcal mol-1 (T7) for the loop site. Relative to the T3 hairpin, we obtained an overall thermodynamic contribution (per dT residue) of delta delta Hb = delta(T delta Sb) = -0.7(5) kcal mol-1 for the stem sites and delta delta Hb = delta(T delta Sb) = -1.5 kcal mol-1 for the loop sites. Therefore, the induced structural perturbations of ethidium binding results in a differential compensation of favorable stacking interactions with the unfavorable ordering of the ligands.     

Characterization of the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor from rat intestinal cytosol.

The 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor from rat intestinal cytosol has been partially characterized. Sucrose density gradient sedimentation and analytical gel filtration analyses of this receptor yielded values of 3.1 S, 80,000, and 36 A for the sedimentation coefficient, molecular weight (Mr), and Stokes molecular radius (Rs), respectively. The receptor was found to be a protein by its susceptibility to protease but not nuclease digestion, and studies with N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide revealed the presence of a reduced cysteine residue near the ligand binding site of the receptor. Kinetic and equilibrium binding studies showed an equilibrium dissociation constant of 7.4 x 10(-10) M (4 degrees C), an association rate constant of 1.7 x 10(7) M-1 min-1 (0 degrees C) and a dissociation rate constant of 7.2 x 10(-4) min-1 (4 degrees C, t1/2 = 16 h).