The effect of antiestrogens on egg yolk protein synthesis and estrogen-binding to chromatin in the rooster liver

Nafoxidine and CI-628, two well known antiestrogenic compounds, reduce the stimulating effect of estradiol on the estrogen-binding capacity of the liver chromatin from roosters. In vitro both antiestrogens compete with [³H] estradiol for the binding sites on the liver chromatin. They inhibit the estrogen-induced synthesis of egg yolk proteins (vitellogenin) and fail to induce this estrogen-specific protein synthesis by themselves. They show the ability, however, to increase the estrogen-binding sites on the liver chromatin to some extent.     

Polyamines in liver and their influence on chromatin condensation after 17-β estradiol treatment of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were treated with 17- estradiol to induce vitellogenin synthesis in liver. This led to an increase in liver wet weight and total DNA. After incubation with micrococcal nuclease (EC 3.1.31.1) less soluble chromatin was obtained from nuclei of the estradiol treated than the control fish, but active gene regions were solubilized by the nuclease. Thus, in the estradiol treated fish soluble mononucleosomes contained hybridizable vitellogenin gene sequences. As a result of estradiol treatment the content in total liver of putrescine rose 3-fold, that of spermidine 2-fold, while spermine was unchanged. In muscle no significant changes were observed. The regulatory functions of polyamines during gene expression were investigated by binding (¹⁴C)spermine to isolated liver nuclei depleted of endogenous polyamines. The number of binding sites was higher in nuclei of estradiol treated than control fish. (^14C)spermine associated preferentially with micrococcal nuclease insensitive chromatin. Thus, the high content of putrescine and spermidine in liver supported the view of polyamine accumulation in proliferating tissues. The preferential binding to condensed chromatin indicated a stabilizing effect of polyamines on the organization of inactive chromatin structures.Abbreviations MNase micrococcal nuclease - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride     

Multiple species of estrogen binding sites in the nuclear fraction of the rat prostate

Specific estrogen-binding sites have been demonstrated in purified nuclear fractions of prostates from intact rats. Saturation analysis of nuclei over a wide range of [³H]-estradiol concentrations (0.15 to 90 nM) has shown two different types of binding sites: a) one with high affinity (Kd of 0.5–0.8 nM) and low capacity for estradiol (approximately 162 fmole/mg DNA); b) a second with a lower affinity (Kd of 30–40 nM), which shows a higher capacity (approximately 860 fmole/mg DNA), and displays a saturation curve that is sigmoidal and that appears to be similar to those for Type II estrogen-binding sites in rat uterus. These results suggest that the actions of estradiol in the prostate are mediated by specific nuclear binding sites.     

Characterization of estrogen-binding sites associated with the endoplasmic reticulum of rat uterus

Microsomes prepared from rat uterine homogenates harbor high-affinity (Ka = 10(10) M-1), low-capacity binding sites for estrogens. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that these estrophiles are located on endoplasmic reticulum and are not cytosolic contaminants of the membrane preparation. Subfractionation of microsomes into granular and agranular membranes and polysomes revealed approximately equal distribution of estrogen-binding activity among each of these constituents. These binding sites were fully extractable with 0.6 M KCl. Microsomal estrophiles solubilized under conditions of low ionic strength and complexed with estradiol migrated as 8S forms on continuous sucrose gradients. In the presence of 0.4 M KCl, the solubilized binding sites exhibit a sedimentation coefficient of 4S. Extracted binding sites do not undergo heat-induced transformation from a 4S to 5S species. The monoclonal antibody JS34/32 interacted with the endoplasmic reticulum-associated estrogen-binding sites when present in 50-fold molar excess, but not at lower antibody to binding site ratios. In comparison, the rat uterine cytosolic estrogen receptor formed complexes with JS34/32 at antibody to receptor ratios as low as 2:1. These results suggest that the endoplasmic reticulum possesses estrogen-binding sites with biochemical properties that differ from those of the classically described cytosolic (loosely associated nuclear) estrogen receptor.     

Purification of a special estrogen-binding protein from the liver of rats by affinity chromatography on estradiol sepharose

A procedure has been developed for purification of a special rat liver estrogen-binding protein. It includes protein precipitation by ammonium sulfate, gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and affinity chromatography on estradiol sepharose. The protein is purified 2260-fold with a 27% yield. Upon electrophoresis in 10% PAG in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate the protein gives one polypeptide strip with a molecular weight of 31.200 +/- 400 dalton.     

Alcohol-induced changes in hepatic estrogen-binding proteins: A mechanism explaining feminization in alcoholics

Chronic alcoholic men frequently display an apparent hyperestrogenization manifested by enhanced hepatic synthesis of estrogen-responsive proteins as well as many other estrogen-linked tissue alterations. Because of these clinical observations, we assessed the effect of chronic alcohol ingestion, using a rat model, on the levels of two estrogen-binding proteins of male rat liver cytosol. These two estrogen-binding proteins, the estrogen receptor, and an unusual male-specific estrogen binder, differ in specificity for the non-steroidal estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), permitting development of an assay for each using unfractionated cytosol. The estrogen receptor was labeled with [³H]DES, and the male-specific estrogen binder with [³H]estradiol in the presence of unlabeled DES, since the latter protein does not recognize DES. The specificity of labeling under these conditions was verified by gel filtration chromatography. The livers of rats fed either an alcohol-containing (AF) or isocalorically matched control diet were assayed for the levels of both proteins. The livers of the AF animals had twice the content of estrogen receptor, as compared to the isocalorically matched control group (105 vs 52 fmol/mg cytosol protein). Conversely, the livers of the AF animals had only one-third as much male-specific estrogen binder as did those of the isocalorically matched control group (22 vs 62 pmol/mg cytosol protein). Alcohol feeding also resulted in those animals having smaller testes, seminal vesicles, and prostates, as well as decreased serum testosterone levels. No change in serum estradiol levels occurred after 34 days of alcohol feeding; however, 61 days of alcohol feeding resulted in an increase in serum estradiol levels in the AF animals. These results are incorporated into a proposed model of feminization of the chronic alcoholic male.     

Variant T47D human breast cancer cells with high progesterone-receptor levels despite estrogen and antiestrogen resistance

In target tissues for estrogen, including breast cancer cells, the synthesis of progesterone receptors (PRs) is controlled by estradiol acting through estrogen receptors (ERs). We describe studies with T47D human breast cancer cells, whose PRs are not regulated by estradiol, though present in extraordinary amounts (300,000 sites per cell). These cells have no ERs sedimenting at 8S on sucrose density gradients, and no unfilled cytoplasmic or nuclear ERs; some apparently hormone-filled nuclear sites, with $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{? 0.7}$ nM, can be demonstrated by exchange. The nuclear ER sites are not processed after estradiol treatment. Nafoxidine, however, doubles nuclear estrogen binding in 6 hr, in a cycloheximide-insensitive step that may represent a reversal of processing. T47D cells are profoundly resistant to estrogens and antiestrogens; estradiol does not stimulate PRs, and nafoxidine concentrations that are cytotoxic to ER-positive cells have no effect on cell growth or on PR levels. Yet the PRs are normal by several criteria, and they can be stoichiometrically translocated to, and extracted from, nuclei in the first 3 min after progesterone addition. If progesterone treatment exceeds 10 min, rapid nuclear turnover prevents quantitative PR recovery. Cytoplasmic PRs are replenished in 10 to 24 hr, and this cycloheximide-sensitive step is also estrogen- and nafoxidine-resistant. However, despite their insensitivity to estradiol or antiestrogen, PRs are not constitutively synthesized; 5-bromodeoxyuridine and sodium butyrate can selectively inhibit PR production. Thus, since PRs retain some characteristics of inducible proteins, the persistent nuclear estrogen-binding sites may be stimulating PRs continuously, even in the absence of exogenous estradiol.     

Nuclease-hypersensitive sites in chromatin of the estrogen-inducible apoVLDL II gene of chicken.

DNAseI-hypersensitive sites were localized in apoVLDL II chromatin from chicken. In the liver two sites at 1.75 and 1.0 kb upstream from the cap-site are present before the gene is activated. After induction by estradiol a number of additional sites appear, three in the promotor region of the gene, one within the coding region and two behind the poly-A signal. These sites disappear when the expression of the gene is shut off upon estradiol withdrawal. All sites appear to be tissue-specific in that they are not found in other tissues of the rooster. However, in oviduct of the laying hen we find a hypersensitive site at 1.6 kb in front of the gene.     

Preliminary characterization of an endogenous inhibitor of [3H]estradiol binding in rat uterine nuclei

The rat uterus contains two classes of specific nuclear estrogen-binding sites which may be involved in estrogen action. Type I sites represent the classical estrogen receptor (Kd = 1 nM) and type II sites (Kd = 10-20 nM) are stimulated in the nucleus by estrogen under conditions which cause uterine hyperplasia. Dilution of uterine nuclear fractions from estrogen treated rats prior to quantitation of estrogen binding sites by [3H]estradiol exchange results in an increase (3- to 4-fold) in the measurable quantities of the type II site. Estimates of type I sites are not affected by dilution. These increases in type II sites following nuclear dilution occur independently of protein concentration and result from the dilution of a specific endogeneous inhibitor of [3H]estradiol binding to these sites. The inhibitor activity is present in cytosol preparations from rat uterus, spleen, diaphragm, skeletal muscle, and serum. Preliminary characterization of the inhibitor activity by Sephadex G-25 chromatography shows two distinct peaks which are similar in molecular weight (300). These components (alpha and beta) can be separated on LH-20 chromatography since the beta-peak component is preferentially retained on this lipophilic resin. Partial purification of the LH-20 beta inhibitor component by high performance liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis suggests the putative inhibitor activity is not steroidal in nature and consists of two very similar phenanthrene-like molecules (molecular weights 302 and 304). Analysis of cytosol preparations on LH-20 chromatography shows that non-neoplastic tissues (uterus, liver, lactating mammary gland) contain both and inhibitor components whereas estrogen-induced rat mammary tumors contain very low to nonmeasurable quantities of the beta-peak inhibitor activity.     

Transformation of the rat uterine estrogen receptor after partial purification.

Warming crude ratuterine cytosol after the addition of [3H] estradiol accelerates the association of the 4-S estrogen-binding protein with a second macromolecule, resulting in the formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. To determine whether the 5-S estrogen-binding protein consists of two similar or dissimilar subunits, uterine cytosol was subjected to a number of fractionation procedures that separate macromolecules by solubility, molecular gel sieving, sedimentation rate, ionic charge, and heat lability. Following each of these methods, the fraction containing the 4-S estrogen-binding protein was incubated at 28 degrees C; each of the these 4-S estrogen-binding protein-containing fractions retained its capacity to completely transform to the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. In samples subjected to partial purification procedures, it was necessary that the buffer contain 40 mM Tris, 60 mM Tris, 60 mM KC1, 1-10 MM dithiothreitol, and 1 M urea at pH 7.4, in order to accomplish the 4-S to 5-S estrogen-binding protein transformation at 25 degrees C. Formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein requires association of the 4-Estrogen-binding protein with a molecule identical to or very similar to itself.     

Transformation of the rat uterine estrogen receptor after partial purification

Warming crude rat uterine cytosol after the addition of [³H] estradiol accelerates the association of the 4-S estrogen-binding protein with a second macromolecule, resulting in the formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. To determine whether the 5-S estrogen-binding protein consists of two similar or dissimilar subunits, uterine cytosol was subjected to a number of fractionation procedures that separate macromolecules by solubility, molecular gel sieving, sedimentation rate, ionic charge, and heat lability. Following each of these methods, the fraction containing the 4-S estrogen-binding protein was incubated at 28°C; each of these 4-S estrogen-binding protein-containing fractions retained its capacity to completely transform to the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. In samples subjected to partial purification procedures, it was necessary that the buffer contain 40 mM Tris, 60 mM KCI, 1–10 mM dithiothreitol, and 1 M urea at pH 7.4, in order to accomplish the 4-S to 5-S estrogen-binding protein transformation at 28°C. Formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein requires association of the 4-S estrogen-binding protein with a molecule identical to or very similar to itself.     

3D model of amphioxus steroid receptor complexed with estradiol

The origins of signaling by vertebrate steroids are not fully understood. An important advance was the report that an estrogen-binding steroid receptor [SR] is present in amphioxus, a basal chordate with a similar body plan as vertebrates. To investigate the evolution of estrogen-binding to steroid receptors, we constructed a 3D model of amphioxus SR complexed with estradiol. This 3D model indicates that although the SR is activated by estradiol, some interactions between estradiol and human ERα are not conserved in the SR, which can explain the low affinity of estradiol for the SR. These differences between the SR and ERα in the steroid-binding domain are sufficient to suggest that another steroid is the physiological regulator of the SR. The 3D model predicts that mutation of Glu-346 to Gln will increase the affinity of testosterone for amphioxus SR and elucidate the evolution of steroid-binding to nuclear receptors.     

An investigation of an estrogen-binding component in the liver and plasma of brook char, Salvelinus fontinalis

1. Estrogen-binding activity was investigated in liver nuclear and cytosolic preparations of sexually mature female brook char, Salvelinus fontinalis. Nuclear salt extracts of estrogen-injected fish were found to contain high affinity binding sites (Kd = 1.6 nM, capacity = 2.8 fM/ug DNA). 2. Low levels of high-affinity specific binding activity were found in the cytosol of both injected and untreated fish (Kd = 7.5 nM, capacity = 16.1 fM/mg protein). 3. Binding sites in both preparations were specific for estrogens with no significant competition by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, or cortisone. 4. A plasma-binder was found to have distinctive differences with regard to structural specificity compared to the estrogen-binding component in liver. It was found to have no affinity for diethylstilbestrol while having some affinity for both 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and progesterone. 5. The brook char liver estrogen-binding component was observed to have characteristics in common with estrogen receptors found in other vertebrates.     

Long-term effects of estrogen on avian liver: estrogen-inducible switch in expression of nuclear, hormone-binding proteins.

The stimulation of chicks or embryos with estrogen results in transient, hepatic expression of the vitellogenin gene, as well as long-term, propagatable alterations in the rapidity with which the gene can be reactivated. We examined the possibility that nuclear, type II estrogen-binding sites are involved in this long-term change in response characteristics. We demonstrate that the primary induction kinetics of type II sites in embryos and chicks correlated with the expression of the vitellogenin gene and that once their induction was triggered by estrogen, they accumulated, were propagated, and persisted for months after withdrawal of the hormone. We also show that their accumulation in the embryo was accompanied by prolonged expression of both the vitellogenin and very low-density apolipoprotein II genes, in the absence of elevated levels of type I receptor, and that the type II sites, like the classical receptor, appear to be preferentially associated with active or potentially active chromatin. Finally, we describe a regulatory mechanism, tested by computer modelling, that simulated the behavioral characteristics of these nuclear estrogen-binding sites and which may explain their role in mediating the long-term effects of estrogen.     

A special estrogen-binding protein in the rat liver: the effect of nuclear accumulation of estradiol-receptor complexes in vitro

The accumulation of [3H]estradiol-receptor complexes by liver nuclei after preliminary incubation of the hormone with rat liver cytosol was studied. It was demonstrated that addition to female rat liver cytosol of a purified preparation of the unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) from male rat liver causes a dose-dependent inhibition of subsequent accumulation of specifically bound [3H]estradiol in the nuclei. Addition to male rat liver cytosol of 1.5 microM 2 alpha-hydroxytestosterone, testosterone, 1-dehydrotestosterone, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, i. e. compounds possessing marked affinity for UEBP, resulted in a 2-5-fold increase of the subsequent nuclear accumulation of estrogen-receptor complexes. The use of UEBP-deficient female rat liver cytosol revealed that the afore-mentioned steroids are ineffective with respect to estrogen reception. It is concluded that UEBP of male rat liver is capable of modulating estrogen reception.     

The unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) of rat liver: the role of sex steroids and hypophysis in its regulation

The number of estradiol (E2) binding sites of rat liver unusual estrogen-binding protein (NUEBP) was measured, using a novel modification of the quantitative method of specific UEBP determination. In liver cytosol of mature male and female rats, NUEBP amounted to 6.83 +/- 0.49 and less than 0.05 pmol/mg protein, respectively. Neonatal administration of testosterone-propionate (TP) and TP injections at later periods of ontogenesis increased NUEBP in female rat liver in a similar fashion. The elevated NUEBP was found in the liver of mature ovariectomized females 30 days after cessation of TP injections. Hypophysectomy (but not adrenalectomy or thyroidectomy) prevented TP induction of elevated NUEBP in pubertal females. E2 injections reversibly decreased NUEBP in the liver of all animals under study except of hypophysectomized males. A stimulating regulatory effect of TP on NUEBP in male rat liver was observed only in the case of endogenous androgen deficiency and low NUEBP. TP prevented the E2-dependent decrease of NUEBP upon their simultaneous injections and increased the E2-reduced NUEBP when injected after E2. Hypophysectomy led to a decrease of NUEBP in pubertal males but only slightly affected that in castrated animals. After TP injections to hypophysectomized males, NUEBP returned to a level next to the initial one. It was concluded that estrogen-androgen regulation of the UEBP level led to the maintenance of sex differences in the UEBP content.