In Vitro Evaluation of 11C-Labeled (S)-Nicotine, (S)-3-Methyl-5-(1-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole, and (R,S)-1-Methyl-2-(3-Pyridyl)azetidine as Nicotinic Receptor Ligands for Positron Emission Tomography Studies

Abstract: The binding characteristics of the novel ¹¹C-labeled nicotinic ligands (R,S)-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl) azetidine (MPA) and (S)-3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole (ABT-418) were investigated in comparison with those of (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine in vitro in the rat brain to be able to predict the binding properties of the new ligands for positron emission tomography studies in vivo. The data from time-resolved experiments for all ligands indicated fast binding kinetics, with the exception of a slower dissociation of [¹¹C]MPA in comparison with (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine and [¹¹C]ABT-418. Saturation experiments revealed for all ligands two nicotinic receptor binding sites with affinity constants (K_D values) of 2.4 and 560 nM and binding site densities (B_max values) of 65.5 and 223 fmol/mg of protein for (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine, K_D values of 0.011 and 2.2 nM and B_max values of 4.4 and 70.7 fmol/mg of protein for [¹¹C]MPA, and K_D values of 1.3 and 33.4 nM and B_max values of 8.8 and 69.2 fmol/mg of protein for [¹¹C]ABT-418. In competing with the ¹¹C-ligands, epibatidine was most potent, followed by cytisine. A different rank order of potencies was found for (?)-nicotine, (+)-nicotine, MPA, and ABT-418 displacing each of the ¹¹C-ligands. Autoradiograms displayed a similar pattern of receptor binding for all ligands, whereby [¹¹C]MPA showed the most distinct binding pattern and the lowest nonspecific binding. We conclude that the three ¹¹C-labeled nicotinic ligands were suitable for characterizing nicotinic receptors in vitro. The very high affinity of [¹¹C]MPA to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, its low nonspecific binding, and especially the slower dissociation kinetics of the [¹¹C]MPA from the putative high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site compared with (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine and [¹¹C]ABT-418 raise the level of interest in [¹¹C]MPA for application in positron emission tomography.     

A spectrophotometric determination of the binding constants of cyanide by hemin in aqueous ethanol solutions

Binding constants for the coordination of cyanide by monomeric hemin in aqueous ethanol solution were determined in the pH range 8–12 by fitting spectrophotometric data to a binding isotherm using a non-linear least-squares method. Two cyanide ligands are coordinated by Fe(III) without evidence for the intermediate mono-ligated species. The binding constants are strongly pH-dependent because of protonation of the ligand and competition for the metal ion by hydroxide. From the pH dependence of the observed binding constants, a pH-independent value of log K = 17.62±0.03 for the binding of two CN⁻ ligands by monomeric hemin in alkaline solution at 25 °C, μ=0.100 M, is obtained.     

Small ligands that neither bind to nor alter the structure of d(GA·TC)n sequences in DNA

Three minor-groove binding ligands have been used to study the characteristics of two d(GA·CT)_n DNAs embedded in longer DNA fragments. The binding of mithramycin, netropsin or Thia-Net to these sequences has been studied using DNAse I footprinting. None of these ligands appeared to bind to d(GA·CT)₅ nor to d(GA·CT)₂₂ extensively, although with mithramycin some protected bonds were detected at the very edge of these sequences. In general, these small ligands did not enhance the DNAse I cleavage patterns at the alternating d(GA·CT)_n flanking sequences located near DNA regions where the drug was bound. The d(GA·CT)_n sequences could act as a rigid block in which it is not easy to propagate structural changes, whereas other sequences flanking the binding sites showed cleavage enhancements.     

Identification of potential inhibitors of Fasciola gigantica thioredoxin1: computational screening,molecular dynamics simulation,and binding free energy studies

Fasciola gigantica is the causative organism of fascioliasis and is responsible for major economic losses in livestock production globally. F. gigantica thioredoxin1 (FgTrx1) is an important redox-active enzyme involved in maintaining the redox homeostasis in the cell. To identify a potential anti-fasciolid compound, we conducted a structure-based virtual screening of natural compounds from the ZINC database (n = 1,67,740) against the FgTrx1 structure. The ligands were docked against FgTrx1 and 309 ligands were found to have better docking score. These compounds were evaluated for Lipinski and ADMET prediction, and 30 compounds were found to fit well for re-docking studies. After refinement by molecular docking and drug-likeness analysis, three potential inhibitors (ZINC15970091, ZINC9312362, and ZINC9312661) were identified. These three ligands were further subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to compare the dynamics and stability of the protein structure after binding of the ligands. The binding free energy analyses were calculated to determine the intermolecular interactions. The results suggested that the two compounds had a binding free energy of –82.237, and –109.52 kJ.mol^?1 for compounds with IDs ZINC9312362 and ZINC9312661, respectively. These predicted compounds displayed considerable pharmacological and structural properties to be drug candidates. We concluded that these two compounds could be potential drug candidates to fight against F. gigantica parasites.     

Evolution of 1, 3, 5-trisubstituted bipyrazole scaffold based platinum(II) complexes as a biological active agent

Abstract

Square planar mononuclear platinum(II) complexes having general formula [Pt(Lⁿ)Cl₂], (where, Lⁿ?=?L^1–4) were synthesized with neutral bidentate heterocyclic 1,3,5-trisubstituted bipyrazole based ligands. The synthesized compounds were characterized by physicochemical method such as TGA, molar conductance, micro-elemental analysis and magnetic moment, and spectroscopic method such as, FT-IR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectrometry. Biological applications of the compounds were carried out using in vitro brine shrimp lethality bioassay, in vitro antimicrobial study against five different pathogens, and cellular level cytotoxicity against Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. Pombe) cells. Pt(II) complexes were tested for DNA interaction activities using electronic absorption titration, viscosity measurements study, fluorescence quenching technique and molecular docking assay. Binding constants (K_b) of ligands and complexes were observed in the range of 0.23–1.07?×?10⁵?M^?1 and 0.51–3.13?×?10⁵?M^?1, respectively. Pt(II) complexes (I–IV) display an excellent binding tendency to biomolecule (DNA) and possess comparatively high binding constant (K_b) values than the ligands. The DNA binding study indicate partial intercalative mode of binding in complex-DNA. The gel electrophoresis activity was carried out to examine DNA nuclease property of pUC19 plasmid DNA.     

Ligand binding isotherm for DNA in the presence of supercoil-induced non-B form: a theoretical analysis

A binding isotherm in the form of a modified McGhee-Von Hippel equation is proposed, on the basis of thermodynamical considerations, to include the non-cooperative binding of extended ligands to supercoiled DNA, where a stretch of non-B form may be present under superhelical stress. It is then studied, on the basis of a non-linear Scatchard plot, how the presence of an intercalating ligand can relax the supercoiled molecule and thus destabilise the non-B stretch, which may be recognised by the existence of a significant kink in the Scatchard plot.     

Pharmacological Characteristics and Distributions of σ and Phencyclidine Receptors in the Animal Kingdom

The phylogenetic distributions ofσ- and phencyclidine receptors in neural tissues of 13 species and the pharmacological characteristics of these receptors in whole sea anemone and neural tissues of the guinea pig, chicken, and frog were studied. Specific binding of [³H]haloperidol and [³H]N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-3,4-piperidine, ligands that bind with high affinity to σ- and phencyclidine receptors, respectively, was detected in all organisms examined. The order of potencies of various ligands to inhibit 1 nM [³H]haloperidol binding in brains of frogs and guinea pigs or 1 nM [³H]N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]-3,4–piperidine in chicken or guinea pig brain homogenates was very similar. However, the characteristics and stereospecificity of binding of the two radioligands in sea anemone were different than in higher organisms. The results suggest that σ– and phencyclidine binding sites are evolutionarily old, as the characteristics of the two sites are well preserved over a range of vertebrate phyla.     

Hydrophobic interactions of DNA with long-chain amines.

The binding ratio, Γ_a, for several long-chain amines to calf-thymus DNA was measured as function of the ligand concentration, C, using the equilibrium dialysis method. The different amines used in the binding experiments at constant temperature were dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (DTAB), myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (MTAB), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPCL). The formation and dissociation of the saturated DNA–amine complex were reversible. The initial slope of the binding isotherm decreased sharply with the reduction of the electrostatic effect as a result of the increase of the ionic strength of the medium. A sharp inflexion region was noted in the binding isotherm where the ligands bound in significant numbers may undergo hydrophobic interactions with each other. Γ_a increased with C until a maximum value, Γ_a^m, was reached, beyond which binding slowly decreased with an increase of concentration. Both Γ_a^m and Γ_a increased significantly with the increase of the hydrocarbon chain length of a ligand. The free energy change ΔG^m for each saturated DNA–amine complex was evaluated on the basis of a thermodynamic relation and the standard state for binding was defined. The average free energy change for the binding per CH₂ group of the amine was found to be ?1550 cal/mol. The difference between ΔG^m for CTAB and CPCL was examined on the basis of the structural difference of their head groups. The binding isotherms for MTAB and CPCL were obtained from the binding data at 15, 30, and 45°C. The binding increased with increasing temperature. From the plot of ΔG^m/T vs 1/T, the changes in enthalpy and entropy due to the binding were evaluated for MTAB and CPCL. The binding reactions in these two cases were driven primarily by the entropy change due to the hydrophobic interaction. Standard free energy changes ΔG₀^m for the unsaturated complexes were close to ΔG^m for the saturated complexes. The binding isotherms also depended on the nature of the neutral salt of the medium. At a given salt concentration, the order of the binding of the inorganic salts was as follows: KCl > NaCl > LiCl > Na₂SO₄ > MgCl₂. The effect of pH on binding was also examined. The importance of these results on the formation of the reconstituted and natural nucleohistone complexes is discussed.     

肝靶向配体半乳糖基白蛋白和多聚谷氨酸

化学合成两类去唾液酸糖蛋白受体(ASGPR)的人工配体——半乳糖基白蛋白(Gal_nHSA)和半乳糖基多聚-L-谷氨酸(Gal_nPLGA), 并以 ¹²⁵I标记的去唾液酸胎球蛋白(ASF)为标准配体,测定了合成配体抑制 ¹²⁵I-ASF与大鼠肝细胞膜ASGPR结合的IC₅₀值. 结果表明,Gal₁₂HSA、Gal₁₅HSA、Gal₂₆HSA、Gal₃₀HSA和Gal₃₄PLGA均能够有效地抑制 ¹²⁵I-ASF与ASGPR的结合,且前者与ASGPR的亲和力随半乳糖基化程度的增加而增加. 这些合成配体来源丰富、制备简单,适合于作为药物或基因肝靶向运送的导向配体.     

Complex ligand-protein systems: a globally convergent iterative method for the n x m case

When n types of univalent ligands are competing for the binding to m types of protein sites, the determination of the system composition at equilibrium reduces to the solving of a non-linear system of n equations in C = [0;1] ⁿ . We present an iterative method to solve such a system. We show that the sequence presented here is always convergent, regardless of the initial value in C. We also prove that the limit of this sequence is the unique solution in C of the non-linear system of equations. Received: 1 November 2000 / Published online: 21 August 2001     

Thermodynamic Modeling of Internal Equilibria Involved in the Activation of Trypsinogen

Abstract

The effect of activating dipeptides, sequentially homologous to the Ile 16-Val 17 N-terminus of bovine β-trypsin (β-trypsin), on equilibria involved in the binding of strong ligands (i.e., n-butylamine, the bovine basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz-type inhibitor; BPTI) and the porcine pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (Kazal-type inhibitor, type I; PSTI)) to bovine trypsinogen (trypsinogen) was investigated at pH 5.5 (I = 0.1 M) and T = 21.0 ± 0.5°C; under the same experimental conditions, thermodynamics for the binding of strong ligands to β-trypsin was also obtained. The equilibria involved in the binding of activating dipeptides and/or inhibitors to β-trypsin and to its zymogen are described according to an induced-fit formalism, taking into account ligand-linked interaction(s) between different functional and structural domains of the (pro)enzyme possibly involved in the trypsinogen-to-β-trypsin activation pathway. The analysis of data is focussed on parameters describing interactions between the so-called Ile-Val pocket (where the Ile16-Val17/V-terminus of β-trypsin or activating dipeptides bind) and the primary and/or secondary recognition subsite(s) (where strong ligands associate) present in the (pro)enzyme. Such an analysis allows to dissect the contributions due to the primary recognition subsite, where small mono-functional ligands (e.g., n-butylamine) bind, from those of the secondary subsite(s), which are additional recognition clefts for macromolecular inhibitors (e.g., BPTI and PSTI).     

Binding of [3H] γ-Aminobutyric Acid and [3H]Muscimol in Purified Rat Brain Synaptic Plasma Membranes and the Effects of Bicuculline

Abstract: The binding of [³H] γ-aminobutyric acid ([³H]GABA) and [³H]muscimol has been studied in purified synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) preparations from rat brain. Scatchard analysis of specific binding (defined as that displaced by 100 μMγ-aminobutyrate) indicated that the binding of both radiolabelled ligands was best described by a two component Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The apparent K_D and B_max values for [³H]GABA at 4°C were K_D1, 20 nM; K_D2,165 nM; B_max1, 0.48 pmol;B_max2, 6.0 pmol. mg^?1; for [³H]muscimol at 4°C they were: K_D1, 1.75 nM; K_D2, 17.5 nM; B_maxl, 0.84 pmol. mg^?1; B_max2, 4.8 pmol.mg^?1; and for [³H]muscimol at 37°C they were: K_D1, 7.0 nM; K_m, 60 nM; B_max], 0.5 pmol-mg^?1; B_max2, 7.2 pmol-mg¹. Under the experimental conditions used, the similar B_milx values for [³H]GABA and [³H]muscimol binding to the SPM preparations suggests that the high- and low-affinity components for the two radiolabeled ligands are identical. The effects of the GAB A antagonist bicuculline on the binding of [³H]muscimol at 4^CC and 37°C were studied. At 4°C, antagonism of muscimol binding appeared to be competitive at the high-affinity site but noncompetitive at the low-affinity site. At 37°C, antagonism was again competitive at the high-affinity site but was of a mixed competitive/noncompetitive nature at the low-affinity site. Assuming that binding to the high-affinity site is associated with the pharmacological actions of bicuculline, the apparent K_D values obtained suggest a pA₂ value of 5.3 against [³H]muscimol at 4°C and 37°C. This figure is in good agreement with several estimates of the potency of bicuculline based on pharmacological measurements. Results from displacement studies using [³H]GABA and [³H]muscimol suggest that [³H]GABA might be a more satisfactory ligand than [³H]muscimol in GABA radioreceptor assays.     

Allyl rhodanine azo dye derivatives: Potential antimicrobials target d-alanyl carrier protein ligase and nucleoside diphosphate kinase

3-Allyl-5-(4-arylazo)-2-thioxothiazolidine-4-one (HL_n) ligands (where n = 1 to 3) were hypothesized to have antimicrobial activities mediated through inhibition of new antimicrobial targets. The ligands (HL_n) were synthesized and characterized by infrared (IR) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra. The ligands (HL_n) were in silico screened to their potential inhibition to models of d -alanyl carrier protein ligase (DltA) (from Bacillus cereus, PDB code 3FCE) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) (from Staphylococcus aureus; PDB code 3Q8U). HL₃ ligand has the best energy and mode of binding to both NDK and DltA, even though its binding to DltA was stronger than that to NDK. In antimicrobial activity of HL₃ ligand, morphological and cytological changes in HL₃-treated bacteria agreed with the in silico results. The HL₃ ligand showed significant antimicrobial activity against B. cereus, S. aureus, and Fusarium oxysporium. The HL₃-treated bacterial cells appeared malformed and incompletely separated. Its cell walls appeared electron-lucent and ruptured. They contained more mesosomes than normal cells. It was found that the HL₃ ligand represented as a bactericide against B. cereus and S. aureusby blocking target DltA, and may target NDK.     

Use of the multiple copy simultaneous search (MCSS) method to design a new class of picornavirus capsid binding drugs

A combinatorial ligand design approach based on the multiple copy simultaneous search (MCSS) method and a simple scheme for joining MCSS functional group sites was applied to the binding pocket of P3/Sabin poliovirus and rhinovirus 14. The MCSS method determines where specific functional (chemical) groups have local potential energy minima in the binding site. Before the virus application, test calculations were run to determine the optimal set of input parameters to be used in evaluating the MCSS results. The MCSS minima are analyzed and selected minima are connected with (CH₂) _n linkers to form candidate ligands, whose structures are optimized in the binding site. Estimates of the binding strength were made for the ligands and compared with those for known drugs. The results indicate that the proposed ligands should bind to P3/Sabin poliovirus at least as well as the best of the existing drugs, and that they should also bind to P1/Mahoney poliovirus and rhinovirus 14. A detailed comparison of the poliovirus and rhinovirus binding pockets and an analysis of drug binding specificity is presented. Proteins 29:32–58, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacological Characterization of 5-Hydroxytryptamine3Receptors in Murine Brain and Ileum Using the Novel Radioligand [3H]RS-42358–197: Evidence for Receptor Heterogeneity

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated species-specific differences in 5-hydroxytryptamine₃ (5-HT₃) receptors, but unequivocal evidence of 5-HT₃ receptor subtypes, within a species, has not yet been obtained. The purpose of the current study was to test for heterogeneity in 5-HT₃ receptors in murine tissues. 5-HT₃ receptors in membranes derived from brain cerebral cortex of CD-1, C57BI/6, and Swiss Webster mice and ileum of CD-1 mice were labeled with the 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist [³H]RS-42358–197. Structurally diverse competing ligands were then used to characterize the binding site. [³H]RS-42358-197 bound with similar affinity in each of the cortical tissues (mean K_D= 0.14 nM; range, 0.06–0.32 nM) but bound with lower affinity in ileal tissue (2.5 nM). The density of sites labeled with [³H]RS-42358–197 ranged from 10.4 fmol/mg of protein in Swiss Webster mouse cortex to 44.2 fmol/mg of protein in Sprague-Dawley rat cortex. Displacing ligands produced a pharmacologic profile of the [³H]RS-42358–197 binding site consistent with it being a 5-HT₃ receptor: (R)-YM060 > (S)-zacopride > (R)-zaco-pride > MDL 72222 > 2-methyl-5-HT. However, 10-fold differences in the affinity of certain ligands were found when comparing 5-HT₃ binding sites in membranes from cerebral cortex of the different strains of mice and when comparing 5-HT₃ binding sites in brain and ileal membranes prepared from the CD-1 mouse strain. Ligands demonstrating selectivity included RS-42358–197, (R)-za-copride, 1-(m-chlorophenyl) biguanide, (R)-YM060, and MDL 72222. These studies demonstrate tissue-and strain-dependent differences in murine 5-HT₃ binding sites. This suggests that 5-HT₃ receptors exist as multiple subtypes within species and that subtype-selective 5-HT₃ ligands may be identified.     

Synthesis of chitooligomer-based glycoconjugates and their binding to the rat natural killer cell activation receptor NKR-P1

NKR-P1 protein is an important activating receptor at the surface of the rat natural killer cells. GlcNAc and chitooligomers were identified as strong activation ligands in vitro and in vivo. Their clustering brings about increase of their affinity to the NKR-P1 by 3–6 orders. Here we describe novel methodology for preparation of neoglycoproteins based on BSA carying the chitooligomers (n = 2–5). Further on we developed novel methodology of the coupling of glycosylamines via aromatic-SCN activated linker both to protein or synthetic cores. Inhibition studies of chitooligomer glycoconjugates with the NKR-P1 receptor show that our neoglycoproteins are very strong ligands with high binding affinity (–log IC₅₀ = 13–15). In analogy with our previous observations with GlcNAc clustered on protein or PAMAM backbones the synthetic chitooligomer clusters should provide considerably better ligands in the in vivo antitumor treatment.     

Characterization of Multiple [3H]5–Hydroxytryptamine Binding Sites in Rat Spinal Cord Tissue

Abstract: High-affinity [³H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([³H]5-HT) binding in the rat spinal cord is similar to that demonstrated in the frontal cortex. [³H]5-HT binds with nearly the same affinity to sites in both tissues. Furthermore, similar patterns of displacement of [³H]5–HT were seen in both tissues, with either spiperone or LSD as the unlabeled ligand. This high-affinity binding appears to be to multiple sites, since displacement studies using 2 nM [³H]5–HT result in Hill coefficients less than unity for spiperone, LSD, and quipazine [Hill coefficients (n_H): 0.44, 0.39, 0.40, respectively]. These sites apparently have an equal affinity for [³H]5-HT, since unlabeled 5-HT did not discriminate between them. Thus, the high-affinity [³H]5-HT binding in the spinal cord may be analogous to that observed in the frontal cortex, where two populations of sites have previously been described (5-HT_IA, 5-HT_IB). In addition to the multiple high-affinity spinal cord binding sites, a low-affinity [³H]5-HT binding component was also identified. A curvilinear Scatchard plot results from saturation studies using [³H]5-HT (0.5–100 nM) in the spinal cord. The plot can be resolved into sites having apparent dissociation constants of 1.4 nM and 57.8 nM for the high-and low-affinity components, respectively. Additional support for a change in affinity characteristics at higher radioligand concentrations comes from the displacement of 30 nM [³H]5-HT by the unlabeled ligand. A nonparallel shift in the dissociation curve was seen, resulting in a Hill coefficient less than unity (0.32). None of the specifically bound [³H]5-HT in the spinal cord is associated with the 5-HT uptake carrier, since fluoxetine, an inhibitor of 5-HT uptake, does not alter binding characteristics. In addition, a 5-HT binding site analogous to the site designated 5-HT, was not apparent in the spinal cord. Ketanse-rin and cyproheptadine, drugs that are highly selective for 5-HT, sites, did not displace [³H]5-HT from spinal tissue, and [³H]spiperone, a radioligand that binds with high affinity to 5-HT₂ sites, did not exhibit saturable binding in the tissue. Thus, the 5-HT₂ binding site reported in other regions of the central nervous system, and the serotonin uptake carrier do not appear to contribute to the multiple binding sites demonstrated in the spinal cord.     

Distribution, density, diet and productivity of the Scops Owl Otus scops in the Italian Alps

The Scops Owl Otus scops is probably the least known European owl. We surveyed Scops Owls in the Trento region (6200 km²) of the central–eastern Italian Alps between 1995 and 2003 and we intensively monitored a subpopulation in a 50‐km² plot between 2000 and 2003. In the whole region, we found 81 territories concentrated in 21, low‐elevation 100‐km² quadrats. Most territories were associated with villages surrounded by extensively managed grassland (79%), arid areas with rocky outcrops and xerophytic vegetation (12%) and/or large urban areas and parks (6%). In the 50‐km² plot, density varied between 52 and 64 territories/100 km² annually. Territories were either solitary or clumped in loose colonies of 2–7 pairs. In contrast to previous studies, most nests used for laying were in holes and cracks of buildings (95%, n = 20). This may have been favoured by thermal and foraging advantages, but also involved some costs, such as predation by domestic cats and collision with cars. Median laying date was 29 May (n = 16) and the mean number of fledged young was 1.37 (n = 30), 1.95 (n = 21) and 2.00 (n = 20) per territorial, breeding and successful pair, respectively. The diet was dominated by grasshoppers of the family Tettigoniidae. Compared to previous studies, this population showed medium to high density and low productivity. The species seems to be dependent on traditional, extensive agro‐pastoralism and the main conservation threats include habitat loss through land abandonment and consequent forest expansion, which are probably best halted through subsidy schemes. From our results and published data, we estimate the population of the Scops Owl in the Italian Alps at 230–500 territories. There is an urgent need for further data on this largely overlooked species, especially from its Mediterranean strongholds.     

Δ53β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of the rat corpus luteum exhibits positive substrate-binding co-operativity: A continuous monitoring microdensitometric study with unfixed ovarian tissue sections

Δ⁵3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity transforms biologically inactive Δ⁵3β hydroxy steroids into the active Δ⁴3-keto products (e.g. pregnenolone to progesterone). Using a cytochemical procedure which allows for the continuous microdensitometric monitoring of an enzyme reaction as it proceeds and a well described cytochemical assay for Δ⁵3β HSD we have analysed the initial velocity rates (V_o) for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) binding to this enzyme in regressing (i.e. 20α hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase positive) corpus luteum (CL) cells in unfixed tissue sections (5 μm) of the dioestrous and proestrous rat ovary. The results are mean ± S.E.M. The relationship between DHEA concentration (0 to 50 μM) and Δ⁵3β HSD activity in the dioestrous corpora lutea was sigmoidal and had an atypical 1/V_o versus 1/S plot, the x intercept being positive. Using a 1/V_o versus 1/S² plot the V_max was determined to be 1·0 ± 0·08 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 CL (n = 6). The Hill constant was 2·7 ± 0·02 (n = 6) suggesting a high degree of positive co-operativity for DHEA binding. The S concentration for half maximal activity was 17 ± 1 μmoles (n = 6). In the corpora lutea cells of the proestrous ovary, the V_max for DHEA transformation was unchanged (0·95 ± 0·04 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, n = 3) whilst the S_0·5 was significantly increased to 27 ± 0·1 (p < 0·01, n = 3). The Hill constant remained positive being 2·9 ± 0·2 (n = 3). NAD⁺ binding to 3β HSD in regressing corpora lutea of the proestrous ovary has been demonstrated previously to be hyperbolic and fit the classical Michaelis-Menten model.¹ Extending the analysis of NAD⁺ binding to the regressing corpus luteum of the dioestrous rat ovary revealed similar kinetic characteristics to that seen with the proestrous enzyme, the apparent V_max and K_m being 0·84 ± 0·04 μmol min^?1 mg^?1 CL (n = 3) and 27 ± 7 μmol 1^?1 (n = 3) respectively. The Hill constant was 1·1 ± 0·03 (n = 3), indicating no co-operativity of co-factor binding.     

Ouabain receptor interactions in (Na + K)-ATPase preparations. III. On the stability of the ouabain receptor against physical treatment, hydrolases and SH reagents

The action of ATP and its analogs as well as the effects of alkali ions were studied in their action on the ouabain receptor. One single ouabain receptor with a dissociation constant (K_D) of 13 nM was found in the presence of (Mg²⁺ + P_i) and (Na⁺ + Mg²⁺ + ATP). pH changes below pH 7.4 did not affect the ouabain receptor. Ouabain binding required Mg²⁺, where a curved line in the Scatchard plot appeared. The affinity of the receptor for ouabain was decreased by K⁺ and its congeners, by Na⁺ in the presence of (Mg²⁺ + P_i), and by ATP analogs (ADP-C-P, ATP-OCH₃). Ca²⁺ antagonized the action of K⁺ on ouabain binding. It was concluded that the ouabain receptor exists in a low affinity (R_α) and a high affinity conformational state (R_β). The equilibrium between both states is influenced by ligands of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. With 3 mM Mg²⁺ a mixture between both conformational states is assumed to exist (curved line in the Scatchard plot).