The effects of various steroids on testosterone metabolism by the sexually mature rabbit epididymis

We examined the influences of steroids present in the epididymis on androgen metabolism by epididymal tissue and on the binding of androgen metabolites to the epididymal androgen receptor in castrated adult rabbit epididymides under in vitro conditions. The conversion of [3H]testosterone to [3H]17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one (5 alpha-DHT) and to [3H]5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha (beta), 17 beta-diol was inhibited by unlabeled steroids in the following manner progesterone greater than testosterone greater than estradiol. Unlabeled 5 alpha-DHT did not inhibit [3H]testosterone metabolism indicating that product inhibition is not an important regulatory event. The antiandrogen cyproterone acetate did not inhibit the formation of 5 alpha-reduced metabolites of [3H]testosterone. All of the compounds used inhibited androgen binding to the classically defined cytoplasmic and nuclear androgen receptor.     

Binding characteristics of [3H]delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol to a nuclear protein in the rabbit vagina

In this study, we investigated the binding characteristics of [3H]Delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol to rabbit vaginal cytosolic and nuclear extracts and in freshly excised intact tissue strips. [3H]delta(5)-Androstene-3beta,17beta-diol bound to a protein(s) in the vaginal nuclear extract with high affinity (K(d)=3-5 nM) and limited capacity (50-100 fmol/mg protein). No specific binding was detected in the cytoplasmic extracts. Competitive binding studies showed that binding of [3H]delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol was effectively displaced with unlabeled delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol but not with dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, triamcinolone acetonide, or progesterone. However, estradiol at high concentrations partially displaced bound [3H]delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol. Incubation of freshly excised vaginal tissue strips with [3H]delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol in the absence or presence of excess unlabeled delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol for 1h at 37 degrees C resulted in specific binding to a soluble macromolecule in the nuclear KCl extracts. In addition, quantitative measurement of estrogen receptor, androgen receptor and delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol binding protein was performed by equilibrium ligand binding assays using extracts of distal vaginal tissue from intact animals or ovariectomized animals treated for 2 weeks with vehicle, estradiol, testosterone, or estradiol plus testosterone. These changes in steroid hormone levels resulted in opposing trends between the estrogen receptor and delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol binding protein, suggesting that delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol binding protein is regulated differently by the hormonal milieu than the estrogen receptor. These data suggest that rabbit vaginal tissue expresses a novel binding protein which specifically binds delta(5)-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol and is distinct from the androgen and estrogen receptors.     

The unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) of male rat liver: structural determinants of ligands

The unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) found in a male rat liver is a sex dependent protein which differs from other known receptor and transport proteins by the high lability of its complexes with estradiol (E2) and also the unique specificity of affinity for hormones. In this work values of relative binding affinity (RBA) of the UEBP for 57 steroids and their analogs were determined. The affinity of steroids was characterised by the amount of the unlabeled compound needed for 50% inhibition of [3H]-E2 binding with the UEBP. A number of derivatives of estrane and androstane possess an ability to interact with this protein, in contrast to the derivatives of pregnane, stilbene and triphenylethane. Characterized by RBA values, natural steroids are found to have the following order: estriol larger than or equal to E2 greater than 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone = 2 alpha-hydroxytestosterone greater than 16-epiestriol greater than or equal to estetrol greater than or equal to 17-epiestriol greater than or equal to 2-methoxyestradiol greater than or equal to 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol greater than or equal to estrone greater than testosterone greater than or equal to 2 beta-hydroxytestosterone greater than 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. Affinity of estrogens and androgens for the UEBP diminishes abruptly after removal of 3- and 17-hydroxy groups, masking of these by ether bonds or changing of 17 beta-hydroxyl to 17 alpha. All the investigated 17 oxo-C19-steroids, 5 beta-derivatives of testosterone, its 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxy metabolites as well as 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 19-nortestosterone exhibit no essential affinity for the protein. On the basis of the results obtained it is suggested that the binding sites for estrogens and androgens in the UEBP molecule overlap but do not completely coincide.     

Characterization of binding sites for [3H]-DTG, a selective sigma receptor ligand, in the sheep pineal gland

Specific binding sites for [3H]-1,3 di-ortho-tolylguanidine ([3H]-DTG), a selective radiolabeled sigma receptor ligand, were detected and characterized in sheep pineal gland membranes. The binding of [3H]-DTG to sheep pineal membranes was rapid and reversible with a rate constant for association (K+1) at 25 degrees C of 0.0052 nM-1.min-1 and rate constant for dissociation (K-1) 0.0515 min-1, giving a Kd (K-1/K+1) of 9.9 nM. Saturation studies demonstrated that [3H]-DTG binds to a single class of sites with an affinity constant (Kd) of 27 +/- 3.4 nM, and a total binding capacity (Bmax) of 1.39 +/- 0.03 pmol/mg protein. Competition experiments showed that the relative order of potency of compounds for inhibition of [3H]-DTG binding to sheep pineal membranes was as follows: trifluoperazine = DTG greater than haloperidol greater than pentazocine greater than (+)-3-PPP greater than (+/-)SKF 10,047. Some steroids (testosterone, progesterone, deoxycorticosterone) previously reported to bind to the sigma site in brain membranes were very weak inhibitors of [3H]-DTG binding in the present study. The results indicate that [3H]-DTG binding sites having the characteristics of sigma receptors are present in sheep pineal gland. The physiological importance of these sites in regulating the synthesis of the pineal hormone melatonin awaits further study.     

Characterization of R5020 and RU486 binding to progesterone receptor from calf uterus

We have examined and compared the binding characteristics of the progesterone agonist R5020 [promegestone, 17,21-dimethylpregna-4,9(10)-diene-3,20-dione] and the progesterone antagonist RU486 [mifepristone, 17 beta-hydroxy-11 beta-[4-(dimethylamino) phenyl]-17 alpha-(prop-1-ynyl)-estra-4,9-dien-3-one] in calf uterine cytosol. Both steroids bound cytosol macromolecule(s) with high affinity, exhibiting Kd values of 5.6 and 3.6 nM for R5020 and RU486 binding, respectively. The binding of the steroids to the macromolecule(s) was rapid at 4 degrees C, showing saturation of binding sites at 1-2 h for [3H]progesterone and 2-4 h for both [3H]R5020 and [3H]RU486. Addition of molybdate and glycerol to cytosol increased the extent of [3H]R5020 binding. The extent of [3H]RU486 binding remained unchanged in the presence of molybdate, whereas glycerol had an inhibitory effect. Molybdate alone or in combination with glycerol stabilized the [3H]R5020- and [3H]RU486-receptor complexes at 37 degrees C. Although the rate of association of [3H]RU486 with the cytosolic macromolecule was slower than that of [3H]R5020, its dissociation from the ligand-macromolecule complex was significantly slower than [3H]R5020. Competitive steroid binding analysis revealed that [3H]progesterone, [3H]R5020, and [3H]RU486 compete for the same site(s) in the uterine cytosol, suggesting that all three bind to the progesterone receptor (PR). Sedimentation rate analysis showed that both steroids were bound to a molecule that sediments in the 8S region. The 8S [3H]R5020 and [3H]RU486 peaks were abolished by excess radioinert progesterone, RU486, or R5020.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Species and tissue distribution specificity of proteins binding 16alpha,17alpha-cycloalkane derivatives of progesterone

The binding of [3H]progesterone and [3H] 16 alpha,17 alpha-cycloalkanoprogesterones to proteins from rat, rabbit, and human uteri and other organs was studied. We found that 16 alpha,17 alpha-cycloalkanoprogesterone derivatives display affinities for the uterine progesterone receptors comparable with that of the natural hormone and no substantial species differences in the affinity. Rabbit uterus was found to have no proteins distinct from the progesterone receptor that specifically bind [3H] 16 alpha,17 alpha-cycloalkanoprogesterones. At the same time, in the human uterus, we found another protein that binds some of these progesterone derivatives; it turned out to be similar to the protein from rat uterus. A similar protein with the same selectivity and affinity for steroids was also found in rat and human kidneys. Blood serum, liver, lung, and a number of other tissues were found to contain a protein of the third type that binds the same 16 alpha,17 alpha-cycloalkanoprogesterones and exhibits submicromolar Kd values for these steroids and a very low affinity for progesterone. We speculated that the introduction of a bulky substituent adjacently to the 17 beta-side chain of progesterone could result in a change in the general biodynamics of the derivative including its transport, uptake, and accumulation in tissues, which may determine the selectivity of its effect.     

Estrophilic 3 alpha,3 beta,17 beta,20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from rabbit liver--I. Isolation and purification

A procedure for isolation of a highly-purified estrophilic hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EHSD) from rabbit liver, including ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel filtration, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography on estradiol-Sepharose, has been developed. The enzyme possesses NADP-dependent 3 alpha,3 beta,17 beta,20 alpha-HSD activities with a wide spectrum of androgenic, progestagenic, and estrogenic substrates. EHSD is a monomeric protein whose molecular mass determined by different methods is 35,000-39,000. The protein exhibits microheterogeneity due to the differences in molecular surface charge. The catalytic and hormone-binding properties and molecular sizes of the two protein fractions obtained by chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl are close or identical. The enzymatic activity of EHSD is minor as compared to other HSDs from rabbit liver. However, the low values of Km, the high affinity for steroid ligands, and high tissue levels of EHSD suggest the protein to play a role in the biodynamics of sex hormones.     

Characterization of cortisol binding sites in chicken liver plasma membrane

1. The presence of sites specifically binding [3H]cortisol in plasma membrane isolated from chicken liver has been determined. The kinetic parameters of this binding are: Kd = 4.5 nM and Bmax = 2225 fmol/mg protein in presence of 10(-6) M progesterone. 2. The affinities of several natural and synthetic steroids for the membrane binding site respect to the binding of 4 nM [3H]cortisol without competitor increased in the following order: Testosterone less than pregnenone less than dexamethasone less than progesterone less than prednisolone less than corticosterone less than deoxycorticosterone. 3. Other steroids such as estradiol, ouabain and triamcinolone acetonide does not bind to the plasma membrane. 4. Metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ did not modify the binding of [3H]cortisol. 5. Neither propranolol nor phentolamine, beta- and alpha-adrenergic antagonists affected [3H]cortisol binding to the plasma membranes. 6. The result suggest that the binding site detected is more specific for glucocorticoids and it is different of nuclear glucocorticoid receptor and progesterone receptor.     

The sodium channel from rat brain. Role of the beta 1 and beta 2 subunits in saxitoxin binding

Procedures are described for the selective removal of the beta 1 or the beta 2 subunits from the detergent-solubilized channel from rat brain, and the functional integrity of the resulting protein complex is examined. Treatment of the channel with 1.0 M MgCl2 followed by sedimentation through sucrose gradients results in complete separation of beta 1 from the alpha-beta 2 complex and complete loss of [3H]saxitoxin (STX) binding activity. At intermediate MgCl2 concentrations, the loss of beta 1 and the loss of [3H]STX binding activity are closely correlated. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) quantitatively stabilizes the solubilized complex against both the loss of beta 1 and the loss of [3H]STX binding activity. This indicates that association of the alpha and beta 1 subunits is required to maintain the STX/TTX binding site in a conformation with high affinity for STX and TTX in the detergent-solubilized state. Treatment of the solubilized sodium channel with dithiothreitol in the presence of TTX causes specific release of the beta 2 subunit, without significantly removing beta 1. There is little or no correlation between the amount of beta 2 in the sodium channel complex and the ability of the preparation to bind [3H]STX. We conclude from these studies that the presence of beta 1, but not beta 2, is required for the integrity of the STX/TTX binding site of the solubilized and purified rat brain sodium channel.     

Interaction of sex steroids with proteins from the soluble fraction of swine and cattle liver (a preliminary analysis)]

The interactions of [3H]estradiol, [3H]testosterone and [3H]progesterone with soluble proteins from porcine and calf liver were studied. The specific binding of [3H]progesterone and [3H]testosterone in calf liver cytosol seems to be due to serum transcortin or its intracellular precursor (analog). Contrariwise, the specific binding of [3H]progesterone observed in porcine liver cytosol was absent in the serum. This binding was characterized by slow association and dissociation dynamics, moderate affinity for the [3H]-ligand and a high binding capacity. The structural determinants of the ligands were studied by competitive inhibition of the [3H]-ligand binding. The delta 4-3-keto group in the steroid A-ring was found to be the most important determinant. An intensive metabolism of [3H]progesterone was observed during its incubation with cytosol (data from thin-layer chromatography). A 3H-metabolite (presumably, 20 beta-dihydroprogesterone) was predominant in the bound ligand fraction. The data obtained suggest that proteins of a steromodulin type are widely distributed in the mammalian liver.     

Specificity and nature of the rapid steroid-stimulated increase in Sertoli cell nuclear RNA polymerase activity

This report explores the ability of various steroids to rapidly stimulate Sertoli cell RNA polymerase II activity and to compete with [3H]-androgens for nuclear and cytosol binding sites. Nuclear RNA polymerase II activity was significantly stimulated by a 1 nM concentration of the androgenic compounds testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one). R1881 (methyltrienolone) and 5 alpha, 17 beta-diol and also by the potent progestins 6 alpha methylprogesterone and R5020 (17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4-pregna-3,20-dione). Progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol, androsterone, and 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta, 17 beta-diol were ineffective at 1 nM. Cytosol binding and nuclear accumulation of [3H]-androgen was effectively reduced by 100 fold molar excess of those androgens and progestins which stimulated RNA polymerase II activity. These data suggest that androgens and progestins bind to at least some of the same proteins in the Sertoli cell and may elicit the rapid stimulation of RNA polymerase II activity via a common mechanism. Agarose gel electrophoresis of the nuclear RNA synthesized as a result of exposure to testosterone indicated that is was heterodisperse and in part polyadenylated. Electrophoresis of the poly A+-RNA demonstrated that testosterone administration increased the incorporation of [3H]-UTP into RNA that was larger than 28 S.     

Characterization by [3H]Dihydroergocryptine Binding of Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors in Neuroblastoma × Glioma Hybrid Cells

[3H]Dihydroergocryptine ([3H]DHE) was shown to bind to sites in membranes from neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15) that had the characteristics expected of alpha-adrenergic receptors. The binding was saturable with 0.3 pmol [3H]DHE bound per mg of protein and of high affinity, with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 1.8 nM. The specificity of the binding site for various ligands was more similar to that of alpha 2 receptors than to that of alpha 1. No specific binding of [3H]WB-4101 was found in the membranes derived from NG 108 cells. This finding also indicated that the [3H]DHE binding site in the cell is the alpha 2 receptor. GTP lowered the affinity of agonists for the [3H]DHE binding site, although the nucleotide hardly affected the affinity of antagonists including [3H]DHE.     

Progesterone binding to the alpha1-subunit of the Na/K-ATPase on the cell surface: insights from computational modeling

Progesterone triggers the resumption of meiosis in the amphibian oocyte through a signaling system at the plasma membrane. Analysis of [(3)H]ouabain and [(3)H]progesterone binding to the plasma membrane of the Rana pipiens oocyte indicates that progesterone competes with ouabain for a low affinity ouabain binding site on a 112kDa alpha1-subunit of the membrane Na/K-ATPase. Published amino acid sequences from both low and high affinity ouabain binding alpha1-subunits are compared, together with published site-directed mutagenesis studies of ouabain binding. We propose that the progesterone binding site is located in the external loop (23 amino acids) between the M1-M2 transmembrane helices. Analysis of loop topology and the countercurrent hydrophobicity/polarity gradients within the M1-M2 loop further suggest that the polar beta and hydrophobic alpha surfaces of the planar progesterone molecule interact with opposite sides of the amino acid loop. The 19-angular methyl group of progesterone is essential for activity; it could bind to the C-terminal region of the M1-M2 loop. Maximum biological activity requires formation of hydrogen-bond networks between the 3-keto group of progesterone and Arg(118), Asp(129) and possibly Glu(122-124) in the C-terminal region of the loop. The 20-keto group hydrogen may in turn hydrogen bond to Cys(111) near the M1 helix. Peptide flexibility undergoes a maximal transition near the midway point in the M1-M2 loop, suggesting that folding occurs within the loop, which further stabilizes progesterone binding.     

Binding properties of androgen receptors. Evidence for identical receptors in rat testis, epididymis, and prostate.

Androgen receptors in crude and partially purified 105,000 X g supernatant fractions from rat testis, epididymis, and prostate were studied in vitro using a charcoal adsorption assay and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Androgen metabolism was eliminated during receptor purification allowing determination of the kinetics of [3H]-androgen-receptor complex formation. In all three tissues, receptors were found to have essentially identical capabilities to bind androgen, with the affinity for [3H] dihydrotestosterone being somewhat higher than for [3H] testosterone. Equilibrium dissociation constants for [3H] dihydrotestosterone and [3H] testosterone (KD = 2 to 5 X 10(-10) M) were estimated from independently determined rates of association (ka congruent to 6 X 10(7) M-1 h-1 for [3H] dihydrotestosterone and 2 X 10(8) M-1 h-1 for [3H] testosterone) and dissociation (t 1/2 congruent to 40 hr for [3H] dihydrotestosterone and 15 h [3H] testosterone). Evaluation of the effect of temperature on androgen receptor binding of [3H]testosterone allowed estimation of several thermodynamic parameters, including activation energies of association and dissociation (delta H congruent to 14 kcal/mol), the apparent free energy (delta G congruent to -12 kcal/mol), enthalpy (delta H congruent to -2.5 kcal/mol), and entropy (delta S congruent to 35 cal col-1 K-1). Optimum receptor binding occurred at a pH of 8. Receptor stability was greatly enhanced when bound with androgen. Receptor specificity for testosterone and dihydrotestosterone was demonstrated by competitive binding assays. The potent synthetic androgen, 7 alpha, 17 alpha-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone, inhibited binding of [3H] testosterone or [3H] dihydrotesterone nearly as well as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone while larger amounts of 5 alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17 beta-diol and nonandrogenic steroids were required. Sedimentation coefficients of androgen receptors in all unfractionated supernatants were 4 and 5 to 8 S. Differences in sedimentation coefficients were observed following (NH4)2SO4 precipitation which did not influence the binding properties of the receptors. These results, together with measurements of3alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity in vitro, suggest that organ differences in receptor binding of [3H] dihydrotestosterone and [3H] testosterone in vivo result from relative differences in intracellular concentrations of these androgens rather than from differences in receptor affinities.     

The control of the interaction of sex hormone-binding globulin with its receptor by steroid hormones

Sex hormone-binding globulins (SHBG) is a plasma glycoprotein that binds certain steroids. It, in turn, binds to a specific receptor on cell membranes. This work was undertaken to investigate the role of steroids in the interaction of SHBG with its receptor. Because the probe for the interaction of SHBG with its receptor is 125I-SHBG, we first showed that 125I-SHBG binds [3H]dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C with KD values similar to those published previously for pure radioinert SHBG. 125I-SHBG could be prevented from binding to its receptor by a variety of steroids whose relative inhibitory activity (dihydrotestosterone much greater than 2-methoxyestradiol greater than testosterone greater than estradiol much greater than methyltrienolone greater than cortisol) was almost identical to their relative ability to bind to SHBG. Because significant binding of [3H]DHT to the SHBG receptor could not be demonstrated, steroid inhibition of SHBG binding must be noncompetitive. If steroids bound to SHBG prevent binding to the SHBG receptor, then liganded SHBG should have a higher apparent KD for its receptor than unliganded SHBG. This is the case. The KD was 0.86 +/- 0.25 nM for the high affinity receptor site using liganded SHBG and 0.19 +/- 0.024 nM for unliganded SHBG. Thus, only liganded SHBG assumes a conformation that prohibits interaction with the SHBG receptor. However, when unliganded SHBG was prebound to its receptor, it retained its ability to bind [3H] DHT. The model that emerges from these observations is as follows. Unliganded SHBG can bind either steroids or receptor in a reversible reaction; SHBG bound to a steroid cannot bind to the receptor, but unliganded SHBG that first binds to the receptor can subsequently bind steroids.     

Effect of estradiol on expression and activation of Akt protein in rat hypothalamus exposed to chronic [D-Met2, Pro5]-enkephalinamide treatment

Adult ovariectomized rats were implanted with [D-Met2, Pro5]-enkephalinamide (ENK)-containing osmotic minipumps. Two hours prior to sacrifice, some animals were treated with estradiol-17beta (E2) at a dose 10 microg/100 g bodyweight (BW). Expression and activation of Akt proteins, nuclear [3H]estradiol binding, and the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) and of progesterone receptor (PR) were investigated. Estradiol increased the level of activated Akt protein (pAkt473) in the hypothalamus by 52 +/- 11% in comparison to the vehicle-treated controls. No such effect of E2 was observed 24 and 48 h after ENK implantation. This effect of ENK was abolished by concomitant treatment with naloxone. Time-dependent changes in nuclear [3H]estradiol binding and the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors were also detected in the hypothalamus of ENK-implanted and E2-treated rats. At 24-48 h following ENK implantation, expression of ERalpha and high affinity [3H]estradiol binding decreased. At this time point, the PR level was also reduced, while the ERbeta level was augmented. In conclusion, these results suggest that the stimulatory effects of E2 on the expression and activation of Akt protein and the expression of ERalpha and PR are negatively regulated in rat hypothalamus exposed to chronic ENK treatment.     

Characterization of a [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) binding protein in rat liver cytosol

The binding of radiolabelled methyltrienolone 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-estra-4,9,11-trien-3-one (R1881) to adult male rat liver cytosol has been characterized in the presence of Na-molybdate to stabilize steroid-hormone receptors, and triamcinolone acetonide to block progestin receptors. Using sucrose density gradient analysis, male liver cytosol contains a [3H] R1881 macromolecular complex which sediments in the 8-9S region. 8S binding of R1881 to male rat serum, female liver cytosol or cytosol from a tfm rat cannot be demonstrated. Further metabolism of [3H] R1881 following 20h incubation with male rat liver cytosol was excluded: In the 8S region 97% of [3H] R1881 was recovered by thin layer chromatography. Characteristics of this [3H] R1881-8S binding protein include high affinity (Kd = 2.3 +/- 41 nM) and low binding capacity (18.8 +/- 3.3 fmol/mg cytosol protein), precipitability in 0-33% ammonium sulfate, and translocation to isolated nuclei following in vivo R1881 treatment. Whereas, the cytosol R1881-receptor is competed for by dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, and estradiol, [3H] estradiol binding in the 8S region is not competitive with androgens but does compete with diethylstilbestrol. The nuclear androgen binding site has a Kd = 2.8 nM for [3H] R1881, and is androgen specific (testosterone greater than 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone greater than estradiol greater than progesterone greater than cyproterone acetate greater than diethylstilbestrol greater than dexamethasone greater than triamcinolone). Since a number of liver proteins including the drug and steroid metabolizing enzymes are, in part, influenced by the sex-hormone milieu, the presence of a specific androgen receptor in male rat liver may provide valuable insight into the regulation of these proteins.     

Two sex steroid receptors in SC-115 mammary tumor cells

The growth of the SC-115 mammary carcinoma in mice is androgen dependent. Estrogens antagonize the androgen effect. The high affinity binding of androgens and estrogens has been studied in soluble extracts of the tumor, of primary culture cells and clone MI₁ cells.Results indicate that two distinct specific steroid hormone-binding sites (termed ‘receptors’) are found in all cytosol fractions. The androgen-receptor (A) binds testosterone, androstanolone, cyproterone (an anti-androgen), progesterone and estradiol, but only very weakly non-steroidal diethylstilbestrol. The estrogen-receptor (E) binds estrogenic substances such as estradiol and diethylstilbestrol, but no androgen. The apparent K_{D, eq} for A and E receptors of [³H]androstanolone and [³H]estradiol respectively, is identical (-0.5-1 nM at 4 °C). The affinity of estradiol for the A-receptor, when measured against [³H]androstanolone binding, indicates a K_i = 17.5 nM. The concentration of binding sites is of the order of 0.1 pmole/mg protein (somewhat higher for A than for E receptor) in MI₁ cell cytosol. Studies by ultracentrifugation through glycerol-Tris gradients (low salt medium) reveal the macromolecular nature of the cytosol A and E receptors (7–7.5 S). Evidence is presented of the transfer of the A and the E receptors to nuclei after incubation of tumor slices as well as of clone MI₁ cells with the corresponding hormones.Experiments suggest that the two different binding sites are present on two separated macromolecular moieties. After incubation at 37 °C of tumor slices with 10–20 nM [³H]testosterone, or with 10 nM [³H]estradiol, the corresponding radioactive hormone-receptor complexes are, as expected, found in the nuclear KCl extracts. In parallel experiments, where slices are incubated with non-radioactive hormones at the same concentration and the nuclear KCl extracts subsequently treated by radioactive steroids, no available androgen-binding sites are found in the nuclei after exposure to estradiol, nor estrogen-binding sites after exposure to testosterone.Therefore, in the same cell, two receptors are present which bind androgens and estrogens with high affinity, and one given hormone (estradiol) can be specifically bound (with different affinities) by two different receptors which, however, discriminate a synthetic analog (diethylstilbestrol). The data may give some molecular background for interpreting responses to the same hormone which may differ at various concentrations, for studying effects of analogs, and for analysing the control of tumor growth by antagonistic steroids.     

The effects of steroid hormones and gonadotropins on in vitro placental conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone

Using human term placental mitochondrial preparations, optimal conversion of [3H]pregnenolone to [3H]progesterone was obtained at 30 min incubation and with a mitochondrial protein content of 2.5-3.5 mg/ml. Estradiol, estrone, progesterone and testosterone in a dose range of 0.03-8.66 mumol inhibited the in vitro conversion of [3H]pregnenolone to [3H]progesterone by placental homogenates. All four steroids inhibited the pregnenolone to progesterone conversion in a dose-dependent manner. The ID50 (dose required to inhibit conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone by 50%) was 0.04 mumol for estradiol, 0.13 mumol for testosterone, 0.3 mumol for progesterone and 1.0 mumol for estriol. Neither gonadotropin releasing hormone (50-1000 ng) nor human chorionic gonadotropin (5-500 IU) affected the placental basal conversion rate of pregnenolone to progesterone in vitro. Our findings indicate that steroid hormones such as estradiol, estrone, testosterone and progesterone can inhibit local placental progesterone biosynthesis through inhibition of the enzyme complex 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.     

Steroid binding to synaptic plasma membrane: differential binding of glucocorticoids and gonadal steroids

The specific binding of [3H]-corticosterone, [3H]-17 beta-estradiol, [3H]-testosterone, and [3H]-progesterone to synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) prepared from rat brain has been characterized. The dissociation constant is estimated as on the order of 1 x 10(-7) M for corticosterone and 1 x 10(-8) M for the other three steroids. In a competition experiment, none of the 3H-steroids was displaced by the other steroids at 500-fold excess, indicating the presence of specific binding sites on the membrane for each type of steroid. Moreover, pre-incubation of the SPM with phospholipase A2 or phospholipase C totally destroys the membrane binding of corticosterone and testosterone, but the binding of estradiol and progesterone remains intact. Since the SPM prepared from brain tissue is derived from many different neuronal cell types, it is possible that the membrane binding sites for glucocorticoids and for gonadal steroids are present in different neurons.