Differences in crystal properties and ligand affinities of an antifluorescyl fab (4-4-20) in two solvent systems

An antigen-binding fragment (Fab) from a murine monoclonal antibody (4-4-20) with high affinity for fluorescein was cocrystallized with ligand in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 2-methl-2,4-pentanediol (MPD) in forms suitable for X-ray analyses. In MPD the affinity of the intact antibody for fluorescein was 300 times lower than the value (3.4 × 10¹⁰ M^?1) obtained in aqueous buffers. This decreased affinity was manifested by the partial release of bound fluorescein when MPD was added to solutions of liganded Feb during crystallization trials, In PEG, the ligand remained firmly bound to the protein. The liganded Feb crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁ in PEG, with a = 58.6, b = 97.2, c = 44.5 Å and β = 95.2°. In MPD the space group was triclinic P1, with a = 58.3, b = 43.4, c = 42.3 Å, α = 83.9°, β = 87.6°, and γ = 84.5°. X-ray diffraction data were collected for both forms to 2.5-Å resolution. Surprisingly, the triclinic form of the liganed antifluorescyl Feb had the same space group, closely similar cell dimensions, and practically the same orientation in the unit cell as an unliganded Fab (BV04-01) with activity against single-stranded DNA.     

Construction, characterization, and mutagenesis of an anti-fluorescein single chain antibody idiotype family.

In addition to crystallographic studies that determined antigen contact residues for monoclonal anti-fluorescein (Fl) antibody 4-4-20 (Ka = 2.5 x 10(10) M-1), primary structure comparisons revealed idiotypically cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 9-40 (Ka = 4.4 x 10(7) M-1), 12-40 (Ka = 4.0 x 10(8) M-1), and 5-14 (Ka = 2.4 x 10(8) M-1) possessed identical Fl contact residues, with the exception of L34His for L34Arg. Site-specific mutagenesis of single chain antibody (SCA) 4-4-20 in which L34Arg was changed to L34His resulted in approximately 1000- and 3-fold decreases in binding affinity and Qmax (maximum quenching of bound Fl), respectively, which suggested that L34Arg was directly involved in increased binding affinity and fluorescence quenching. Therefore, substitution of Arg for His at residue L34 in mAbs 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 should result in increased binding affinity and Qmax. To facilitate site-specific mutagenesis studies, single chain derivatives of mAbs 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 were constructed. Following expression in Escherichia coli, characterization of the SCAs demonstrated that when compared with the respective parental mAb, the SCAs possessed identical binding affinities and similar Qmax and lambda max (absorption profiles of bound Fl) values. These results validated SCA 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 for use in site-directed mutagenesis studies. Results of mutagenesis studies indicated that substitution of L34Arg into the active sites of 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 was not enough to produce 4-4-20-like binding characteristics. Therefore, the following single chain mutants were constructed: 9-40L34Arg/L46Val, 12-40L34Arg/L46Val and 5-14L34Arg/L46Val, 9-40L34Arg/L46Val/H101Asp and 4-4-20H101Ala. Results demonstrated that these mutations were not able to render the mutant SCAs with increased binding affinity and fluorescence quenching values. Collectively, these results suggest that the combining sites of mAb 9-40, 12-40, and 5-14 may possess different active site structures than mAb 4-4-20.     

Single-chain site-specific mutations of fluorescein-amino acid contact residues in high affinity monoclonal antibody 4-4-20.

Previous crystallographic studies of high affinity anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody 4-4-20 (Ka = 1.7 x 10(10) M-1) complexed with fluorescyl ligand resolved active site contact residues involved in binding. For better definition of the relative roles of three light chain antigen contact residues (L27dhis, L32tyr and L34arg), four site-specific mutations (L27dhis to L27lys, L32tyr to L32phe, and L34arg to L34lys and L34his) were generated and expressed in single-chain antigen binding derivatives of monoclonal antibody 4-4-20 containing two different polypeptide linkers (SCA 4-4-20/205c, 25 amino acids and SCA 4-4-20/212, 14 amino acids). Results showed that L27dhis and L32tyr were necessary for wild type binding affinities, however, were not required for near-wild type Qmax values (where Qmax is the maximum fluoroscein fluorescence quenching expressed as percent). Tyrosine L32 which hydrogen bonds with ligand was also characterized at the haptenic level through the use of 9-hydroxyphenylfluoron which lacks the carboxyl group to which L32 tyrosine forms a hydrogen bond. Results demonstrated that wild type SCA and mutant L32phe possessed similar HPF binding characteristics. Active site contact residue L34arg was important for fluorescein quenching maxima and binding affinity (L34his mutant), however, substitution of lysine for arginine at L34 did not have a significant effect on observed Qmax value. In addition, substitutions had no effect on structural and topological characteristics, since all mutants retained similar idiotypic and metatypic properties. Finally, two linkers were comparatively examined to determine relative contributions to mutant binding properties and stability. No linker effects were observed. Collectively, these results verified the importance of these light chain fluorescein contact residues in the binding pocket of monoclonal antibody 4-4-20.     

Crystal structures of the 64M-2 and 64M-3 antibody Fabs complexed with DNA (6-4) photoproducts.

Crystal structures of the 64M-2 antibody Fab fragment complexed with DNA photoproducts of dT(6-4)T and dTT(6-4)TT, and of the 64M-3 Fab fragment complexed with dT(6-4)T were determined. The 5'-thymine base of the bound dT(6-4)T ligand is in a half-chair conformation, and its base plane is nearly perpendicular to the planar 3'-pyrimidone base. The 64M-2 and 64M-3 Fabs have a common structure suitable for accommodating the dT(6-4)T ligand. In each of the antigen binding sites of the 64M-2 and 64M-3 Fabs, basic residues of His 35H and Arg 95H are located at the bottom of the binding pocket, and are hydrogen-bonded to the base moieties of dT(6-4)T. Two water molecules are involved in the interactions that intervene between the base moieties and the binding site. Aromatic residues of Trp 33H and Tyr 100iH form a side-wall of the pocket and are in van der Waals interactions with the base moieties. The Trp 33H side-chain is placed in parallel to the 3'-pyrimidone base, and the Tyr 100iH side-chain is nearly perpendicular to the 5'-thymine base. His 27dL, Tyr 32L, Leu 93L, and Ser 58H forming another side-wall are located in the vicinity of the sugar-phosphate backbone. In the 64M-2 Fab complex with dTT(6-4)TT, 5'- and 3'-side phosphate groups are also involved in interaction with Fab residues.     

Crystal structure and ligand-binding studies of a screened peptide complexed with streptavidin.

The thermodynamic binding parameters and crystal structure for streptavidin-peptide complexes where the peptide sequences were obtained by random screening methods are reported. The affinities between streptavidin and two heptapeptides were determined by titrating calorimetric methods [Phe-Ser-His-Pro-Gln-Asn-Thr, Ka = 7944 (+/- 224) M-1, delta G degrees = -5.32 (+/- 0.01) kcal/mol, and delta H degrees = -19.34 (+/- 0.48) kcal/mol; His-Asp-His-Pro-Gln-Asn-Leu, Ka = 3542 (+/- 146) M-1, delta G degrees = -4.84 (+/- 0.03) kcal/mol, and delta H degrees = -19.00 (+/- 0.64) kcal/mol]. The crystal structure of streptavidin complexed with one of these peptides has been determined at 2.0-A resolution. The peptide (Phe-Ser-His-Pro-Gln-Asn-Thr) binds in a turn conformation with the histidine, proline, and glutamine side chains oriented inward at the biotin-binding site. A water molecule is immobilized between the histidine and glutamine side chains of the peptide and an aspartic acid side chain of the protein. Although some of the residues that participate in binding biotin also interact with the screened peptide, the peptide adopts an alternate method of utilizing binding determinants in the biotin-binding site of streptavidin.     

Interaction of propafenone enantiomers with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

The interaction of propafenone enantiomers with human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography. Each of the two optical antipodes interacted with one class of high-affinity binding sites characterized by Ka(R) = (6.18 +/- 0.93) x 10(5) M-1, n(R) = 1.34 +/- 0.09 for the (R)-isomer and Ka(S) = (8.93 +/- 1.82) x 10(5) M-1, n(S) = 0.99 +/- 0.08 for the (S)-isomer. Nonspecific binding to secondary low-affinity high-capacity binding site(s) was only slightly greater in the case of the (S)-enantiomer (n'k'(S) = (1.06 +/- 0.09) x 10(4) M-1) compared to the (R)-enantiomer (n'k'(R) = (6.87 +/- 0.72) x 10(3) M-1). It was concluded that both enantiomers interact with common single class of high-affinity binding sites on AAG (along with nonspecific binding) exhibiting only slight stereoselectivity for propafenone.     

Formation of the 1-(S-glutathionyl)-2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexadienate anion at the active site of glutathione S-transferase: evidence for enzymic stabilization of sigma-complex intermediates in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions

Formation of the Meisenheimer complex or sigma-complex [1-(S-glutathionyl)-2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexadienate] between glutathione (GSH) and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) can be observed at the active sites of isoenzymes 3-3 and 4-4 of rat liver GSH transferase. The spectroscopic properties (UV-visible and CD) of the enzyme-bound sigma-complex are consistent with a 1:1 complex in an asymmetric environment. Competitive inhibitors which occupy the GSH binding site (e.g., gamma-L-glutamyl-D,L-2-aminomalonylglycine) inhibit sigma-complex formation. The apparent formation constants of the sigma-complex (M) with enzyme-bound GSH (E.GS- + TNB in equilibrium E.M) at pH 7.5 are 5 x 10(4) M-1 and 7 x 10(2) M-1 for isoenzymes 3-3 and 4-4, respectively. Both values are much greater than that in aqueous solution (GS- + TNB in equilibrium M), where Kf = 28 M-1. Isoenzyme 3-3 is roughly an order of magnitude more efficient than 4-4 in catalyzing nucleophilic aromatic substitutions, a fact that appears to correlate with the ability of each enzyme to stabilize the sigma-complex. The pH dependence of Kf(app) for isoenzyme 3-3 is used to probe the ionization behavior of enzyme-bound GSH. The results are consistent with a double-ionization scheme (e.g., H+E.GSH in equilibrium H+E.GS- in equilibrium E.GS-) with pK's of 5.7 and 7.6, which are assigned to the thiol pK and the pK of a protonated base in the active site, respectively. Formation of the sigma-complex is also observed in single crystals of isoenzyme 3-3, providing a clear demonstration of the chemical competence of the crystallized enzyme. The results are discussed with respect to catalytic efficiency and the ability of the enzyme to stabilize sigma-complex intermediates in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions.     

Interaction of the Laburnum anagyroides lectin with fucoantigens

We studied interaction of the lectin from the bark of Golden Rain shrub (Laburnum anagyroides, LABA) with a number of basic fucose-containing carbohydrate antigens by changes in its tryptophan fluorescence. The strongest LABA binding was observed for the trisaccharide H of type 6 [alpha-L-Fucp-(1-2)-beta-D-Galp-(1-4)-D-Glc, Ka= 4.2 x 10(3) M(-1)]. The following antigens were bound with a weaker affinity: H-disaccharide alpha-L-Fucp-(1-2)-D-Gal, a glucoanalogue of tetrasaccharide Ley alpha-L-Fucp-(1-2)-beta-D-Galp-(1-4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1-3)]-D-Glc, and 6-fucosyl-N-acetylglucosamine, a fragment of core of the N-glycans family (Ka 1.1-1.7 x 10(3) M(-1)). The lowest binding was observed for L-fucose (Ka = 2.7 x 10(2) M-1) and trisaccharide Lea, (3-Galp-(1-3)-[a-L-Fucp-(1-4)]-GlcNAc (Ka = 6.4 x 10(2) M(-1)). The Lea, Lea, and Lex pentasaccharides and Leb hexasaccharide were not bound to LABA.     

Prostromelysin-1 (proMMP-3) stimulates plasminogen activation by tissue-type plasminogen activator.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3 or stromelysin-1) specifically binds to tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), without however, hydrolyzing the protein. Binding affinity to proMMP-3 is similar to single chain t-PA, two chain t-PA and active site mutagenized t-PA (Ka of 6.3 x 106 to 8.0 x 106 M-1), but is reduced for t-PA lacking the finger and growth factor domains (Ka of 2.0 x 106 M-1). Activation of native Glu-plasminogen by t-PA in the presence of proMMP-3 obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics; at saturating concentrations of proMMP-3, the catalytic efficiency of two chain t-PA is enhanced 20-fold (kcat/Km of 7.9 x 10-3 vs. 4.1 x 10-4 microM-1.s-1). This is mainly the result of an enhanced affinity of t-PA for its substrate (Km of 1.6 microM vs. 89 microM in the absence of proMMP-3), whereas the kcat is less affected (kcat of 1.3 x 10-2 vs. 3.6 x 10-2 s-1). Activation of Lys-plasminogen by two chain t-PA is stimulated about 13-fold at a saturating concentration of proMMP-3, whereas that of miniplasminogen is virtually unaffected (1.4-fold). Plasminogen activation by single chain t-PA is stimulated about ninefold by proMMP-3, whereas that by the mutant lacking finger and growth factor domains is stimulated only threefold. Biospecific interaction analysis revealed binding of Lys-plasminogen to proMMP-3 with 18-fold higher affinity (Ka of 22 x 106 M-1) and of miniplasminogen with fivefold lower affinity (Ka of 0.26 x 106 M-1) as compared to Glu-plasminogen (Ka of 1.2 x 106 M-1). Plasminogen and t-PA appear to bind to different sites on proMMP-3. These data are compatible with a model in which both plasminogen and t-PA bind to proMMP-3, resulting in a cyclic ternary complex in which t-PA has an enhanced affinity for plasminogen, which may be in a Lys-plasminogen-like conformation. Maximal binding and stimulation require the N-terminal finger and growth factor domains of t-PA and the N-terminal kringle domains of plasminogen.     

Binding of the recombinant proteinase inhibitor eglin c, of the soybean Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor and of its chymotrypsin and trypsin inhibiting fragments to Leu-proteinase, the leucine specific serine proteinase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves: thermodynamic study.

The effect of pH and temperature on the apparent association equilibrium constant (Ka) for the binding of the recombinant proteinase inhibitor eglin c (eglin c), of the soybean Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor (BBI) and of its chymotrypsin and trypsin inhibiting fragments (F-C and F-T, respectively) to Leu-proteinase, the leucine specific serine proteinase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves, has been investigated. On lowering the pH from 9.5 to 4.5, values of Ka (at 21 degrees C) for complex formation decrease thus reflecting the acidic pK-shift of the hystidyl catalytic residue from approximately 6.9, in the free Leu-proteinase, to approximately 5.1, in the enzyme: inhibitor adducts. At pH 8.0, values of the apparent thermodynamic parameters for the proteinase:inhibitor complex formation are: Leu-proteinase:eglin c-Ka = 2.2 x 10(11) M-1, delta G degree = -64 kJ/mol, delta H degree = +5.9 kJ/mol, and delta S degree = +240 kJ/molK; Leu-proteinase:BBI-Ka = 3.2 x 10(10) M-1, delta G degree = -59 kJ/mol, delta H degree = +8.8 kJ/mol, and delta S degree = +230 J/molK; and Leu-proteinase:F-C-Ka = 1.1 x 10(6) M-1, delta G degree = -34 kJ/mol, delta H degree = +18 J/mol, and delta S degree = +180 J/molK (values of Ka, delta G degree and delta S degree were obtained at 21.0 degrees C; values of delta H degree were temperature-independent over the range explored, i.e. between 10.0 degrees C and 40.0 degrees C).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Binding of the recombinant proteinase inhibitor eglin c from leech Hirudo medicinalis to human leukocyte elastase, bovine alpha-chymotrypsin and subtilisin Carlsberg: thermodynamic study

The effect of pH and temperature on the apparent association equilibrium constant (Ka) for the binding of the recombinant proteinase inhibitor eglin c from leech Hirudo medicinalis to human leukocyte elastase (EC 3.4.21.37), bovine alpha-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) and subtilisin Carlsberg (EC 3.4.21.14) has been investigated. On lowering the pH from 9.5 to 4.5, values of Ka for eglin c binding to the serine proteinases considered decrease thus reflecting the acid-pK shift of the invariant histidyl catalytic residue (His57 in human leukocyte elastase and bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, and His64 in subtilisin Carlsberg) from congruent to 6.9, in the free enzymes, to congruent to 5.1, in the enzyme:inhibitor adducts. At pH 8.0, values of the apparent thermodynamic parameters for eglin c binding are: human leukocyte elastase - Ka = 1.0 x 10(10) M-1, delta G phi = -13.4 kcal/mol, delta H phi = +1.8 kcal/mol, and delta S phi = +52 entropy units; bovine alpha-chymotrypsin -Ka = 5.0 x 10(9) M-1, delta G phi = -13.0 kcal/mol, delta H phi = +2.0 kcal/mol, and delta S phi = +51 entropy units; and subtilisin Carlsberg - Ka = 6.6 x 10(9) M-1, delta G phi = -13.1 kcal/mol, delta H phi = +2.0 kcal/mol, and delta S phi = +51 entropy units (values of Ka, delta G phi and delta S phi were obtained at 21 degrees C; values of delta H phi were temperature independent over the range explored, i.e. between 10 degrees C and 40 degrees C; 1 kcal = 4184J).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Physicochemical studies of binding of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-galactopyranoside to cold agglutinin.

The fluorescence of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-galactopyranoside (MeUmbGalp) was quenched in the presence of cold agglutinin, showing that there was binding between MeUmbGalp and cold agglutinin. That binding was saccharide-specific. By using this quenching phenomenon, the association constants (Ka) of the binding of cold agglutinin at different temperatures (10 degrees C and 15 degrees C) to MeUmbGalp and also the number of binding sites were calculated. The Ka values were found to be 2.63 x 10(3) M-1 at 10 degrees C and 1.58 x 10(3) M-1 at 15 degrees C. Though there is a change in Ka values, the number of binding sites was calculated to be six at both temperatures (10 degrees C and 15 degrees C). From the Ka values the thermodynamic parameters (free energy, enthalpy and entropy) of the binding were derived, and analysis of the data indicated that the binding is spontaneous, exothermic and hydrophobic in nature.     

Comparison of variable region primary structures within an anti-fluorescein idiotype family

Previous reports described the properties of a high affinity (Ka = 1.7 X 10(10) M-1) prototype anti-fluorescein monoclonal antibody 4-4-20, an intermediate affinity (Ka = 3.7 X 10(7) M-1) prototype 9-40, and Ig members of the 9-40 idiotype family (comprised of 3-24, 5-14, 5-27, 10-25 and 12-40). Although the seven monoclonal anti-fluorescein antibodies expressed similar active site structural determinants (idiotypes) as determined serologically, each was characterized by different affinities for fluorescein and fine specificity binding patterns. Partial heavy (H)- and light (L)-chain N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses revealed all antibodies (except 5-27) were composed of highly homologous VHIII(C) and V kappa II subgroup genes, respectively. Antibody 5-27 utilized a VHIII(B) and a V kappa V subgroup genes and shared low V-region sequence homology with 4-4-20, 9-40 and the remaining 9-40 idiotype family. In addition, complete 4-4-20, VH- and VL-region primary structures were determined to better understand antibody-antigen interactions. Antibody 4-4-20 utilized a VHIII(C) subgroup VH-gene, a truncated Sp2 D gene segment, JH4, a V kappa II subgroup VL-gene, and J kappa 1. Antibody 4-4-20 VH and VL complementarity-determining regions contained many basic and aromatic amino acid residues capable of interaction with fluorescein. Results are discussed in terms of idiotypic and fluorescein-binding characteristics as well as antibody structural and functional diversity in the immune response.     

The receptor binding of 3H-corticosterone by rat hepatocytes]

The binding of 3H-corticosterone was studied on rat hepatocytes both in presence of unlabeled corticosterone, obsidan and their absence at 0 degrees-4 degrees C. The analysis of binding by the method of Scatchard showed that there are two types of specific binding sites for 3H-corticosterone. Possible existence of proper glucocorticoid receptors (Ka = 4 x 10(9)M-1, n = 0.52 x 10(-14) mol/mg prot.) has been shown, as well as possibility of 3H-corticosterone interaction with beta-adrenoreceptors (Ka = 1.2 x 10(9)M-1, n = 0.9 x 10(-14) mol/mg prot.) have been demonstrated on hepatocytes.     

Evidence for oxytocin receptors in cultured bovine luteal cells.

Specific receptors for oxytocin (OT) on intact luteal cells are demonstrated. Cultured cells from bovine corpora lutea (CL) at different stages (Days 3-5, 8-12, and 15-18 of the estrous cycle) were examined for OT receptors by a radioreceptor assay using the 125I-labeled OT antagonist [d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH2(9)] -vasotocin. Binding specificity was demonstrated in displacement studies with various related peptides. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of a binding site with an association constant of Ka = 2.6 x 10(9) M-1 and a capacity of 5.9 fmol/micrograms DNA. Additionally, in 50% of the experiments (n = 6) two different binding sites were observed. The Ka of the high-affinity site was 2.6 x 10(10) M-1; its capacity was 0.73 fmol/micrograms DNA. The low-affinity site had an apparent Ka of 4.9 x 10(8) M-1 and a capacity of 8.8 fmol/micrograms DNA. Observation of one versus two binding sites related neither to the assay conditions nor to the state of the individual CL used for the cell culture and therefore appeared to reflect individual variation within the OT receptor population. Significant binding of OT was observed at all luteal stages. OT binding was maximal at the mid-luteal stage (Days 8-12). We conclude that a direct action of OT on the bovine CL is mediated by the OT receptor, supporting the hypothesis that luteal OT plays an important physiological role in the regulation of progesterone release and/or other luteal functions in a paracrine or autocrine fashion.     

Inhibition of human beta-factor XIIa by squash family serine proteinase inhibitors

Many inhibitors of trypsin and human beta-factor XIIa have been isolated from squash and related seeds and sequenced (Wieczorek et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. (1985) 126, 646-652). The association equilibrium constants (Ka) of several of these inhibitors have now been determined with human beta-factor XIIa using a modification of the method of Green and Work (Park et al., Fed. Proc. Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol. (1984) 43, 1962). The Ka's range from 7.8 x 10(4) M-1 to 3.3 x 10(8) M-1. Two isoinhibitors from Cucurbita maxima seeds, CMTI-I and CMTI-III, differ in only a single glutamate to lysine change in the P'4 position. This results in a factor of 62 increase in the Ka of the lysine inhibitor, CMTI-III (Ka = 3.3 x 10(8) M-1). To our knowledge, this is the largest effect ever seen for a residue substitution at the P'4 position of a serine proteinase inhibitor. The result is even more surprising because beta-factor XIIa's natural substrate, Factor XI, contains Gly in the P'4 position.     

Modulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor concentration in cultured female rat pituitary cells by estradiol treatment

Short-term (0.5-4 h) treatment of rat pituitary cells in culture with estradiol (E2) results in a significant decrease of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) induced LH-release. We studied whether changes in the concentrations of GnRH-receptors (GnRH-R) might account for this phenomenon: pituitary cells from adult female rats were incubated for 4 or 24 h in the presence or absence of 10(-9) M E2. Then saturation curves of D-Ala6-des-Gly10-GnRH ethylamide binding were obtained. In addition, binding studies were carried out in cultures incubated for 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 h with or without 10(-9) M E2 using a near saturating concentration of GnRH-analog. No changes of GnRH-R affinity occurred (4 h experiments: Ka in vehicle treated cells: 0.94 +/- 0.2 x 10(9) M-1, Ka in E2 treated cells: 1.06 +/- 0.3 x 10(9) M-1; 24 h experiments: Ka vehicle: 0.95 +/- 0.2 x 10(9) M-1, Ka E2: 0.82 +/- 0.3 x 10(9) M-1). The GnRH-R concentrations, however, were significantly reduced (44 +/- 3%; P less than 0.001) by 4 h E2 treatment and increased (by 68 +/- 8%; P less than 0.01) by 24 h of E2 treatment. The GnRH induced LH-release in aliquots of the same cell preparations was significantly reduced after 4 h and markedly increased after 24 h of E2 treatment. The experiments on the time-course of the reduction of D-Ala6-GnRH-binding by E2 treatment showed that the number of GnRH-R was significantly decreased (24 +/- 1%; P less than 0.05) already after 0.5 h of exposure to the estrogen. This is also the time period after which the negative E2-effect on GnRH-induced LH-release becomes significant. These data provide first evidence that the short-term negative E2-effect on GnRH induced LH-release by rat pituitary cells in culture could be mediated via a reduction of available GnRH-R.     

Identification of receptors in a system of functionally heterogeneous proteins specifically bound to androgens in rat liver cytosol

The methods of androgen receptor (RA) isolation and identification in rat liver cytosol were studied. It was shown that male rat liver contains a system of specific androgen (A)-binding proteins consisting of at least three main components: RA, delta 4-androstendione (delta 4-A)-binding component and an unusual estrogen-binding protein interacting also with A and the first two components in females. The identity of one of A-binding components to RA was proved by cumulative properties of this component which are similar to those of RA from other tissues. These properties are as follows: 1) high values of apparent association constant, Ka, for 3H-R1881 (2.8 +/- 0.3 X 10(8) M-1) and 3H-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT) (5.0 +/- 0.4 X 10(8) M-1); 2) low binding capacity--approximately 10 fmol/mg of protein of nonfractionated cytosol; 3) pronounced specificity of affinity for active A (DHT, R1881, testosterone); 4) large size of the protein molecule (6.5 +/- 0.25 nm); 5) ability to decrease this size to 3.2 +/- 0.08 nm in a high ionic strength buffer; 6) precipitation at low concentrations of ammonium sulfate: 7) strong interaction with heparin-Sepharose. The properties of the delta 4-A-binding component do not coincide with those of RA: it has a low Ka for 3H-delta 4-A (1.15 +/- 0.5 X 10(6) M-1), a high binding capacity (1.22 +/- 0,12 pmol/mg of protein of nonfractionated cytosol) and can bind various delta 4-3-ketosteroids irrespective of the degree and nature of their biological activity. It was concluded that preliminary isolation of rat liver RA on heparin-Sepharose can be used for differential identification and characterization of this protein.     

Thyroid hormone receptors in human cultured fibroblasts: evidence for cellular T4 transport and nuclear T3 binding

In cultured normal human skin fibroblasts specific and saturable binding sites for triiodothyronine (T3) have been revealed. In fact radiolabelled T3 binds rapidly to intact cells with maximum uptake after 1 hour, while nuclear binding is delayed, the equilibrium being reached after 2 hours. In intact cells it is possible to identify a single binding site for 125I-T3, with a Ka = 1.8 X 10(10)M-1 and Ro = 1.25 X 10(-11)M, similarly in nuclei it was possible to identify a single binding site of Ka = 8.8 X 10(9)M-1 and Ro = 2.3 X 10(-11)M. Intact human fibroblasts take up thyroxine (T4) even more rapidly than T3, with maximum after 5 min, showing a lower affinity for T4 than for T3 and a negligible specific and saturable binding sites for T4, the presence of a cellular transport system for T4 may be hypothesized, considering that iodothyronine cellular binding is increased by preincubation with low doses of T4.     

Binding of Cu(II) to non-prosthetic sites in ceruloplasmin and bovine serum albumin

The binding of Cu(II) to native human, porcine, bovine and ovine ceruloplasmin (Cp) and to bovine serum albumin (bSA) has been studied at pH 7.4, 30 mM barbital buffer. The results were analyzed for the strength and the number of binding sites using Scatchard plots. Evidence for additional copper binding sites in Cp and bSA was obtained suggesting a role for copper ion in the homeostatic regulation of Cu(II) and other metal ions in the serum. In the binding studies the Cp was freed of exogenous Cu(II) by passing it over a Chelex-100 column. Two flow rates were used, 4 ml/hr and 40 ml/hr, which removed Cu(II) of different affinities. Cp passed at the slower flow rate (Cp4) only contained the prosthetic copper atoms. Cp passed at the faster flow rate (Cp40) contained one additional copper atom with a Ka approximately 10(7) M-1. Another 2-6 Cu(II) ion could be added to the Cp40 with an average affinity of about Ka approximately 10(5) M-1. The Cu(II) ions found in Cp provide two distinguishable classes: (1) the prosthetic copper atoms and (2) the exogenous copper atoms that can be removed by Chelex-100. For bSA one copper atom was bound strongly with a Ka value approaching 10(12) - 10(13) M-1 and was not removed by Chelex-100 at any flow rate. A second copper atom was found with a Ka = 5.2 x 10(6) M-1 and was removed by Chelex-100 at 4 ml/hr. Three additional copper atoms were bound with a Ka = 1.6 x 10(5) M-1; they were readily removed by Chelex-100 at 40 ml/hr but were nondialysable.