High-affinity binding of oestradiol-17β by cytosols from testis interstitial tissue, pituitary, adrenal, liver and accessory sex glands of the male rat

The specificity of the binding of oestradiol-17beta by cytoplasmic fractions of several tissues of the male rat was investigated. 1. Agar-gel electrophoresis, Sephadex chromatography, adsorption by dextran-coated charcoal and sucrose-gradient centrifugation were used to estimate the binding capacity and specificity. The four different methods all gave similar results for the capacity of the specific oestradiol-17beta-binding macromolecules in the testis. 2. The presence of a specific saturable binding protein with a sedimentation coefficient of 8S was demonstrated in liver, adrenal, pituitary, prostate, epididymis and testis interstitial tissue. The highest concentration of oestradiol-17beta-binding macromolecules was found in testis interstitial tissue (0.12pmol/mg of protein) and in the pituitary (0.075pmol/mg of protein). 3. The oestradiol-17beta receptor in the testis cytosol showed the characteristics of a protein with respect to Pronase treatment and temperature sensitivity. In competition experiments with different steroids the receptor showed a high affinity for oestradiol-17beta, a moderate affinity for diethylstilboestrol and oestradiol-17alpha and a low affinity for oestrone, oestriol, testosterone and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one). 4. The wide distribution of oestradiol-17beta receptors in the male rat is in apparent contradiction to the current concept of the specificity of steroid-hormone action. Further research is required to investigate a possible physiological meaning of the presence of specific receptors in the different tissues.     

In vivo oestrogenicity and binding characteristics of alpha-zearalanol (P-1496) to different classes of oestrogen binding proteins in rat liver

It is now well established that the mycotoxin zearalenone and some of its derivatives possess oestrogenic activity. In the present study, the binding characteristics of [3H]zearalanol (P-1496) to different classes of sites including [1] the oestrogen receptor, [2] the higher capacity lower affinity (HCLA) sites, [3] the antioestrogen sites and [4] a new class of binding sites apparently specific for P-1496 were examined in rat liver. Analysis of the binding by sucrose density gradient centrifugation confirmed that P-1496 binds to the oestrogen receptor but not to the higher capacity lower affinity sites for oestradiol-17 beta. Furthermore, saturation experiments using partially-purified fractions showed that P-1496 binds to the oestrogen receptor with an affinity very similar to that of oestradiol-17 beta (apparent dissociation constants ranged from 0.1-0.3 nM). Competition studies using partially purified cytosolic oestrogen receptor suggested that P-1496 binds to a second high affinity site distinct from the oestrogen receptor. This binding site was further characterized as selective for P-1496 by saturation analysis following the complete occupancy of oestrogen receptor by oestradiol-17 beta. The in vitro binding characteristics of P-1496 were then compared with in vivo effects on concentrations of serum triglycerides. Treatment of ovariectomized female rats daily with 1.5 or 2 mg P-1496/kg body weight resulted in marked increases in the concentrations of serum triglycerides associated with the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. Dose-response studies indicated that there was no sex difference with respect to the dose necessary to produce significant increases in serum triglycerides. The present study shows striking similarities between the binding of P-1496 and oestradiol-17 beta to liver oestrogen receptor in vitro. However, differences are observed with respect to their binding to other cytoplasmic components of liver. In addition, although P-1496 is capable of eliciting in vivo oestrogenic effects in liver, it is much less potent than oestradiol-17 beta.     

A novel binding site for a synthetic progestagen in breast cancer cells

A novel, high-affinity saturable binding site for the synthetic 19-nor testosterone progestagen, 17 alpha-ethinyl-13 beta-ethyl 17 beta-hydroxy-4,15-oestradiene-3-one (gestodene) has been detected using a sensitive affinity chromatography technique. This binding site is present in a range of malignant breast-derived cells lines, regardless of the presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, but is absent from endometrial carcinoma cells that contain both oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Competition studies show that this binding is not attributable to the receptors for the progestagens, androgens, glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids. Cytosolic gestodene binding is refractory to competition with oestradiol but nuclear gestodene binding is completely abolished by oestradiol. The binding of oestradiol to the oestrogen receptor is reduced 40-50% by competition with gestodene. Non-dissociating polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography reveal that this binding activity is associated with a protein of mean molecular mass 47 +/- 9 kDa. Ligand binding studies with a range of other cell lines indicates that this binding site appears to be specific to breast cancer cells. These data show the presence of a partly oestrogen competable novel binding protein in breast cancer cells which does not appear to be due to any of the conventional steroid receptors.     

Partial purification and characterization of oestrogen receptors in subfractions of hepatocyte plasma membranes

To assess the subcellular distribution of oestrogen-binding components in their native state, plasma membrane and other cell fractions were prepared from hepatocytes in the absence of [³H]oestradiol-17β. Cells from livers of ovariectomized rats were disrupted, with submaximal homogenization in buffered isotonic sucrose with CaCl₂ and proteinase inhibitor, and fractionated by using isotonic media. Fractions were characterized by determinations of enzyme activities, biochemical constituents and ligand binding. Specific binding of 2nm-[³H]oestradiol-17β to intact cells and their fractions was detemined after equilibration for 1.5h at 4°C. More than 92% of the radioactivity from representative preparations was verified as authentic oestradiol by thin-layer chromatography. Activities of plasma-membrane marker enzymes as well as binding sites for oestrogen and for wheat germ agglutinin were present principally in particulate fractions, rather than in 105000g-supernatant fractions. However, by using alternative homogenization procedures (i.e. hypotonic media), known to fragment and strip structural components, oestradiol-binding sites and activities of plasma-membrane marker enzymes were distributed predominantly into cytosol. By using the more conservative procedures, plasma membranes of low (ρ=1.13–1.16) and high (ρ=1.16–1.18) density were purified from crude nuclear fractions. A second low-density subfraction of plasma membrane was prepared from microsome-rich fractions. Activities of plasma-membrane marker enzymes were enriched to about 28 and four times that of the homogenate in plasma membranes of low and high density respectively. Binding sites for wheat germ agglutinin and oestradiol were concentrated in low-density plasma membranes to 46–63 times that of the homogenate. Specific binding of oestrogen in low-density plasma membranes purified from crude nuclei was saturable, with an apparent association constant of 3.5nm. At saturation, such oestradiol receptors corresponded to 526fmol/mg of membrane protein. A Hill plot showed a moderate degree of positive co-operativity in the interaction of hormone with plasma membranes. Specific binding of [³H]oestradiol-17β was reduced by a 200-fold molar excess of unlabelled oestradiol-17β, oestriol or diethylstilbestrol, but not by oestradiol-17α, cortisol, testosterone or progesterone. Binding was also blocked by prior exposure of membranes to trypsin or to 60°C, but remained essentially undiminished by extraction of membranes with either hypotonic or high-salt buffers. Extraction with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 partially solubilized the oestrogen-binding component(s) of plasma membranes. Particle-free extracts were resolved on 5–20% (w/v) sucrose density gradients with either 0.01m- or 0.4m-KCl, and the fractions were analysed by adsorption to hydroxyapatite. In low-salt gradients macromolecule-bound oestrogen sedimented at predominantly 7.4S and binding was 1560 times that of the homogenate. Under high-salt conditions oestradiol-binding activity occurred at both 3.6S and 4.9S.     

Effect of Quinoline-Type Antimalarial Drugs on the Binding of Oestradiol-17β and Progesterone by Rabbit and Human Uterine Cytosols

Abstract

Rabbit and human uterine cytosol, prepared and tested in phosphate buffer, bound less oestradiol-17β or progesterone than cytosol from the same source prepared and tested in Tris-HCl buffer. Dissociation constants were the same in both buffer systems, and the difference in binding was due to a difference in the number of binding sites. Three quinoline-type antimalarial drugs, chloroquine, quinine and mefloquine, and the quinoline derivative, 4-(4'-hydroxy-l'-methylbutylamino)-7-chloroquinoline, increased the steroid binding capacity of phosphate-buffered cytosol to that of Tris-buffered cytosol, the optimal concentration of quinoline derivative being 1.4–1.6 mM. Tris (50 mM) increased the binding capacity of phosphate-buffered cytosol to that of Tris-buffered cytosol. The effects of Tris and quinoline derivatives were not additive. By gel chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation it was shown that the molecular size and sedimentation behaviour of the oestradiol and progesterone receptors were not affected by the quinoline derivatives. Two types of binding site are proposed, one requiring the presence of low molecular weight, basic compounds. The uterine levels of chloroquine attained by normal pharmacological doses of the drug are potentially capable of influencing the binding of oestradiol-17β and progesterone in the uterine cytosol.     

Selective retention of oestradiol by cell nuclei in specific brain regions of the ovariectomized rat

—Cell nuclei were isolated from four regions of the brains of ovariectomized female rats 2 hr after the injection of [³H]oestradiol. By light microscopy, the nuclear pellets contained highly purified nuclei of neuronal and glial cells with little cytoplasmic contamination. Tritium was concentrated in cell nuclei from the preoptic-hypothalamic area, to a lesser extent in nuclei from the amygdaloid region and hippocampus, and least of all in cerebral cortical nuclei. In comparison with whole homogenates (= 1-0), the nuclear concentrations of radioactivity were 12·9, 4·7, 1·9 and 0·8, respectively. Approximately 40 per cent of the radioactivity in homogenates of the preoptic-hypothalamic area was present in cell nuclei, and upon TLC more than 85 per cent of the radioactive material in the nuclei exhibited the R_F of oestradiol-17β. Pretreatment of ovariectomized females with 1 mg of unlabelled oestradiol 30 min before the injection of labelled hormone abolished the nuclear uptake of [³H]oestradiol in all four regions of the brain. A concurrent injection of 10 μg of unlabelled oestradiol-17β significantly reduced nuclear uptake, while a similar injection of testosterone or oestradiol-17α had no significant effect. One mg of oestradiol-17α, but not testosterone, did reduce nuclear uptake. The retention of [³H]oestradiol by the preoptic-hypothalamic area decreased exponentially in the tissue from 30 min to 4 h after an intraperitoneal injection; however, nuclear binding reached a peak at 1-2 h and still showed high retention at 4 h. These results, together with observations in other laboratories of morphological changes induced by oestrogens, establish that certain regions of the brain are bona fide targets for the action of oestradiol.     

A cytoplasmic oestrogen-binding component in chicken liver.

A macromolecular component in the liver cytosol from laying hens as well as roosters, protein in nature and sedimenting at 4S, was shown to bind oestradiol. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the complex is approximately 5 X 10(-6)M. No binding component with a higher affinity for oestradiol was detectable in the cytosol. The binding is specific for the tissue and hormone, with the exception that progesterone also shows some affinity for this 4S component. The number of binding sites is about 330 pmol/mg cytosol protein. This number is not altered significantly after treatment of a rooster with oestrogen (24 h) or with cycloheximide (3 h). The cytoplasmic complex (oestradiol-4S-component) does not enhance the binding of oestradiol to the chromatin from rooster liver. The nuclear complex (oestradiol bound to the soluble nuclear receptor seems to be more effective in doing so.     

The use of protamine to study [6,7-3H]-oestradiol-17β binding in rat uterus

1. The binding of [6,7-(3)H]oestradiol-17beta to uteri has been studied by using sucrose-gradient analysis and also the property of oestradiol receptors to form insoluble complexes with protamine. 2. Protamine precipitates the 8S and part of the 4S oestradiol-binding proteins in uterine cytoplasm from mature rats. It does not precipitate the oestradiol-17beta-binding proteins present in cytoplasm from non-target tissues or serum. No tritium-labelled material was precipitated by protamine after equilibration of [6,7-(3)H]oestradiol-17beta with either serum albumin or phosvitin. 3. Protamine precipitated a small amount of progesterone but not testosterone or cortisol that had been equilibrated with uterine cytoplasm. It did not precipitate any tritium radioactivity from muscle cytoplasm that had been equilibrated with either [1,2-(3)H]testosterone sulphate or [1,2-(3)H]dehydroepiandrosterone. 4. A simple method has been devised for measuring binding constants of tissue extracts for [6,7-(3)H]oestradiol-17beta, based on precipitation with protamine. Reasonable agreement was obtained between the values obtained by this method and those obtained by sucrose-gradient analysis. 5. This method has been used to study the effect of maturity, ovariectomy, adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy on the cytoplasmic binding of [6,7-(3)H]oestradiol-17beta. None of these procedures affected the dissociation constant K(d) or the number of binding sites/mg of cytoplasmic protein. When measured per uterus or per mg of DNA, ovariectomy and hypophysectomy decreased the number of binding sites. Adrenalectomy had no effect. 6. The properties of the 4S oestradiol-binding protein present in cytoplasm from mature uteri have been studied. It is not present in uteri from immature, ovariectomized, or hypophysectomized rats and it does not bind testosterone or cortisol. Unlabelled oestradiol-17beta, U-11,100A, N-ethylmaleimide and N-bromosuccinimide all decrease the binding of [6,7-(3)H]oestradiol-17beta to both 8S and 4S receptors. Binding to both 8S and 4S receptors decreases when oestradiol is transported to the nucleus. The 4S receptor is not the same as the 4S binding component formed by salt dissociation of the 8S receptor.     

A soluble glucocorticoid binding protein in the bovine adrenal cortex

Dexamethasone (DXM) was found to bind with high affinity to a macromolecular component of the bovine adrenal cortex cytosol. Using an equilibrium dialysis technique, an apparent dissociation constant K_d of about 10^?7m and a binding capacity of 6 pmol/mg of protein were obtained for DXM. A lower binding ability was exhibited by the natural glucocorticosteroids, whereas aldosterone, androgens, and oestrogens were not competitors. The association and dissociation processes were completed in less than 5 min. The DXM binder sedimented as a 7 S moiety upon density gradient centrifugation at low or high ionic strength, and chromatographed on Sephadex G-200 as a macromolecule of about 150,000 molecular weight. The binding was destroyed by treatment with trypsin and Pronase and inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, but was not affected by DNase or RNase. Upon incubation with cytosol in vitro at 37 °C, the metabolism of DXM was limited, whereas cortisol was extensively transformed. No significant metabolism was detected for either compound upon incubation at 0 °C. Although this high affinity binding may be related to some of the known effects of corticosteroids on the adrenal cell, it did not possess several of the usual characteristics of target tissue steroid receptor. Therefore, its biological significance must await further investigation to be understood.     

Identification and properties of steroid-binding proteins in nesting Chelonia mydas plasma

We report for the first time the presence of a sex steroid-binding protein in the plasma of green sea turtles Chelonia mydas, which provides an insight into reproductive status. A high affinity, low capacity sex hormone steroid-binding protein was identified in nesting C. mydas and its thermal profile was established. In nesting C. mydas testosterone and oestradiol bind at 4°C with high affinity (K _a = 1.49 ± 0.09 × 10⁹ M⁻¹; 0.17 ± 0.02 × 10⁷ M⁻¹) and low binding capacity (B _max = 3.24 ± 0.84 × 10⁻⁵ M; 0.33 ± 0.06 × 10⁻⁴ M). The binding affinity and capacity of testosterone at 23 and 36°C, respectively were similar to those determined at 4°C. However, oestradiol showed no binding activity at 36°C. With competition studies we showed that oestradiol and oestrone do not compete for binding sites. Furthermore, in nesting C. mydas plasma no high-affinity binding was observed for adrenocortical steroids (cortisol and corticosterone) and progesterone. Our results indicate that in nesting C. mydas plasma temperature has a minimal effect on the high-affinity binding of testosterone to sex steroid-binding protein, however, the high affinity binding of oestradiol to sex steroid-binding protein is abolished at a hypothetically high (36°C) sea/ambient/body temperature. This suggests that at high core body temperatures most of the oestradiol becomes biologically available to the tissues rather than remaining bound to a high-affinity carrier.     

Nature and characteristics of the binding of oestradiol-17beta to a uterine macromolecular fraction

The binding of oestradiol-17β to two proteins, namely serum albumin and a uterus fraction, was studied in vitro. The former protein has a physiological function in the transport of the hormone and the latter is involved in the selective uptake of the steroid by the target organ. The uterus fraction shows a high degree of stereospecificity for the binding of the steroid. Cortisone, oestradiol-17α and testosterone are bound negligibly and progesterone to a much smaller extent than is oestradiol-17β. This property is in contrast with the wide variety of ligands bound by the serum albumin. The temperature and the presence of the steroid influence markedly the binding properties. Oestradiol binding to the uterus fraction is optimum at 37° and at pH7–8·5. It is markedly decreased at pH values above or below this range, suggesting stringent conformational requirements. The tissue `receptor' protein is a macromolecule with a minimum molecular weight of 100000. The protein moiety is essential for the binding function. The probable concentration of the total binding sites for oestradiol in the ovariectomized-rat uterus cytoplasmic fraction as determined in vitro is about 1mμm at a steroid concentration of 50mμm.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of oestrogen receptors in cells and tissue sections by autoradiography with 125I-oestradiol

Summary The presence of receptors for steroid hormones in individual cells and tissue sections was assessed within 4–24 h using dry mount autoradiography with radio-iodinated oestradiol. Low affinity and nonspecific binding of steroids were significantly reduced by washing the cells or sections with diluted antiserum to oestradiol.For cells of the MCF-7 cell line variations in grain density were observed, indicating that cells of the MCF-7 cell line are heterogenous with respect to their cellular receptor concentrations of oestrogen receptors. Receptor-negative cells, such as peritoneal macrophages, did not retain oestradiol label.In tissue sections of rat and calf uterus, predominant labelling was observed on the endometrial gland cells and stroma.Oestradiol receptor binding in the uterus cytosol for both radio-iodinated and tritiated oestradiol showed the same qualitative characteristics as determined by sucrose gradient sedimentation profiles and a comparable amount of binding sites was found for both labels. The relative binding affinity of¹²⁵I-oestradiol compared to [³H]oestradiol is about 70–80%.The dry mount autoradiographic technique as presented can be used for rapid screening of heterogeneiety in oestrogen receptor distribution in cells and tissue sections, since this technique reveals differences in receptor concentrations on the single cell level.     

Demonstration of 8 S-cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor in rat mullerian duct.

1. High affinity macromolecular binding of the non-steroidal synthetic oestrogen [3H]diethylstilboestrol and of [3H] oestradiol-17beta in cytosol of Müllerian duct and uterus, and in blood plasma of perinatal rats, was investigated by sucrose density gradient sedimentation. 2. While [3H] oestradiol was bound to both the characteristic 8 S uterine cytoplasmic receptor and a 4 S component of uterine cytosol and plasma of 11-day-old rats, [3H] diethylstilboestrol was bound almost exclusively by the 8 S cytoplasmic receptor. 3. The greatly reduced binding of [3H] diethylstilboestrol to the 4 S plasma plasmic receptor in the Müllerian duct (precursor of the uterus) of 20-day-old foetuses.     

Unoccupied binding sites for oestrogen in nuclei of a breast tumour cell line (MCF-7).

1. A method to measure both occupied and unoccupied oestrogen receptors directly in the crude nuclear fraction of the MCF-7 cells was developed. The receptors had high affinity for oestradiol (Kd approx. 0.7 nM) and binding specificity characteristics of oestrogen receptors. 2. A substantial amount of the unoccupied receptors were found in the crude nuclear fraction. 3. Several experiments excluded the possibility that the unoccupied nuclear receptor might be a cytoplasmic contaminant. (a) Multiple extractions with Tris buffer released about 75% of the total receptor content, leaving the rest unextractable in the crude nuclear fraction. (b) Nuclei purified by centrifugation through 1.8M-sucrose and treatment with 0.7% Triton X-100, or by centrifugation through 50% glycerol with 0.1% Triton X-100 contained similar amounts of unoccupied receptors to that found in the crude nuclear fraction. (c) In cells cultured during 5 days after preconfluency a 3-fold increase in the amount of unoccupied cytoplasmic receptors occurred, whereas the amount of unoccupied nuclear receptors did not change significantly and conversely in cells exposed to increasing concentrations of oestradiol the unoccupied cytoplasmic receptor was continuously depleted but no considerable change in the unoccupied nuclear receptor was found.     

The synthesis of E-17 alpha-[131I]iodo-vinyl oestradiol and evaluation of its use as a radiotracer for oestrogen receptor positive breast tumours

17 alpha-Iodo-vinyl oestradiol binds with high affinity to the oestrogen receptor, is metabolically stable and has been shown to accumulate in oestrogen sensitive tissues of rodents. We have synthesised this compound and its 3-acetate, labelled with carrier free 125I and shown the accumulation of both compounds in rat uterus. 17 alpha-Iodo-vinyl oestradiol-3-acetate was prepared labelled with carrier free 131I and administered to twelve patients with suspected breast cancer, approximately 1 h before surgical removal of the primary tumour mass. At the time of surgery a sample of the tumour and a peripheral blood sample were taken. The ratio of radioactivity in the tumour to blood was determined. All tumours accumulated radioactivity and ratios ranged from 1.5:1 to 3.7:1. There was no correlation between the degree of accumulation and either cytosolic oestrogen or progesterone receptor concentration in the tumour. Analysis of blood revealed a single circulating species, 17 alpha-iodo-vinyl oestradiol. The results show that 17 alpha-iodo-vinyl oestradiol is metabolically stable and accumulates in breast tumours though this accumulation is not sufficient to permit imaging.     

Binding of l-[3H]glutamate to repeatedly frozen-thawed rat brain membranes

l-[³H]Glutamate binding to synaptic plasma membranes from rat cerebral cortices was carried out at 2–4°C in 50 mM Tris-acetate buffer (pH 7.4) using a microfuge centrifugation method. Binding was increased by repeated freezing-thawing and washing in either crude or partially purified synaptic membranes. Scatchard analysis showed a single binding site (dissociation constant, K_D = 697 nM; maximal binding capacity, B_max = 7.5 pmol/mg protein) in four times distilled water washed crude synaptic membrane. After six times freezing-thawing and washing, a new high affinity site (K_D1 = 26 nM, B_max1 = 1.8 pmol/mg protein) appeared and the number of low affinity site was increased with no apparent change in affinity (K_D2 = 662 nM, B_max2 = 10.5 pmol/mg protein). l-[³H]Glutamate binding was inhibited by acidic amino acid analogues that interact with N-methyl-d-aspartate- and quisqualate-sensitive sites of glutamate receptors. Binding was marginally inhibited by kainate and l-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate. These results indicate that repeatedly frozen-thawed and washed synaptic plasma membrane is suitable for studying the subtypes and regulation of glutamate receptors.     

The effects of oestrogens and progesterone on oestrogen receptors in female rat liver.

The administration of oestradiol-17 beta or ethynyloestradiol as well as the synthetic progestogen norethisterone acetate resulted in translocation of the oestrogen receptor. Progesterone and the synthetic progestogen (+)-norgestrel were ineffective. The increases in nuclear oestrogen receptor content 1 h after injection of each steroid were similar but different subsequently. The increase with oestradiol-17 beta extended for 3--6 h and for at least 9 h with ethynyloestradiol. With norethisterone acetate, nuclear content was still increased after 24 h. Oestrogen injection resulted in cytosol receptor depletion and a 'deficit' in receptor content extending for 6 h, whereas norethisterone acetate-induced translocation was quantitative. With injections of norethisterone acetate + ethynyloestradiol the increase at 1 h and retention of the nuclear receptors were similar to that with norethisterone acetate alone. In contrast, the depletion of cytosol receptor and its restoration were similar to that seen with ethynyloestradiol alone, suggesting that norethisterone acetate did not interfere with the oestrogen receptor replenishment. Specific binding in vitro of [3H]oestradiol-17 beta in liver cytosols was inhibited by (+)-norgestrel and norethisterone acetate, but not progesterone, at concentrations of 10--100 microM. Nuclear receptors present after norethisterone acetate injection bound oestrogen with high affinity (Kd = 1.52 nM), similar to receptors of oestrogen-injected animals. In the uterus, differential retention of nuclear receptors in response to oestrogens is associated with different cellular responses. The differences in the response of the receptor system in liver to the various steroids suggests that the corresponding tissue responses may also be dissimilar. These results are discussed in relation to the problems of liver dysfunction in oral-contraceptive users.     

Hydrocortisone binding receptor in the rat pituitary GH3 cell line.

A receptor with specificity and high affinity for hydrocortisone (HC) has been found in the cytosol of GH₃ cells, a growth hormone (GH) producing culture. Scatchard analysis indicated that the interaction of [³H]HC with the receptor has an apparent dissociation constant (K_d) of about 6.0 × 10^?9M and a concentration of binding sites of approx. 1 × 10^?13 mol/mg cytosol protein. The second order association rate constant was determined to be 1.5 × 10⁶ M^?1 min^?1. The receptor activity is stable at 2°C for several hours, but is destroyed completely by heating at 37°C for 1 hour, or by treatment with pronase, only partially by RNase, but not by DNase. The binding of [³H]HC to the cytosol receptor is inhibited by unlabeled progesterone (PR) or dexamethasone to the same extent as the inhibition by unlabeled HC. However, it is only partially inhibited by testosterone, 17-methyl-testosterone, 17α and 17β-estradiol, and 4-pregnen-20β-ol-3-one, and is unaffected by 5α-pregnan-3β,20β-diol. The biological role for these receptors in the regulation of GH synthesis is supported by the observations that the HC-stimulated production of GH is antagonized by PR, which competes with the binding of HC to the receptor.     

Regulation of high- and low-affinity epidermal growth factor receptors by glucocorticoids

It is reported that receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in HeLa S₃ cells exist in two forms, which differ in both affinity and capacity. Both the number of receptors and their distribution into low- and high-affinity forms are modulated by glucocorticoids. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding assays performed at 0 °C indicates that there is a low-affinity class of receptors ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{d}}\text{? 1.5}\text{nm}$), which contains approximately 6 × 10⁴ binding sites per cell, and a second, high-affinity class of receptors ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{d}}\text{? 0.16}\text{nm}$) containing approximately 5 × 10³ binding sites per cell. Exposure of HeLa S₃ cells to 10^?7m dexamethasone for 24 h increased EGF binding to whole cells by increasing the numbers of low- and high-affinity receptors by 20 and 114%, respectively. The increase in EGF binding depends upon the dose of dexamethasone, being raised from 10^?11 to 10^?6m. EGF binding is half-maximal near 2–4 × 10^?9m, a concentration equal to the K_d of dexamethasone for the glucocorticoid receptor in these cells. The increase in EGF binding is specific for glucocorticoids, occurring when the HeLa S₃ cells are exposed to 10^?7m cortisol or dexamethasone for 24 h, but not when the cells are similarly treated with testosterone, 5α-dihydroxytestosterone, 17β-estradiol, or progesterone. The effect on EGF binding appears to be biphasic; the initial rapid increase occurs between 8 and 12 h, is blocked by both 10^?6m cyclohexamide and 0.1 μg/ml actinomycin D, and is followed by a more gradual increase thereafter. These data indicate that glucocorticoids are able to regulate both the number of EGF receptors and their distribution into high- and low-affinity components. Press, Inc.