A homologous radioimmunoassay for guinea pig corticosteroid-binding globulin.

A rapid, specific, and sensitive (requiring only 20 fmole of antigen equivalent to 0.007 microliter of serum) radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed for the measurement of guinea pig corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). CBG was purified to homogeneity from guinea pig serum by affinity chromatography and used for immunization, as the standard and as the radiolabeled trace in the RIA. The antiserum to CBG was raised in rabbits. It was judged specific by immunoelectrophoresis and by comparison of RIA values with steroid-binding assay profiles obtained on serum separated on the basis of size and ion-exchange properties. The results of the radioimmunoassays agree with those of a steroid-binding assay run on identical samples. The sensitivity of the assay allows detection of CBG in serial serum samples, other biologic fluids such as milk, and cell culture supernatants.

Receptor interconversion model of hormone action. I. ATP-mediated conversion of estrogen receptors from a high to lower affinity state and its relationship to antiestrogen action.

We have previously reported that the estrogen receptor exists in three distinct states in the oviduct of the estrogen-treated chick. Since two of these forms bind estrogen and possess a number of similar properties, the intrinsic relationship between these two receptor forms has been investigated. We now show that a quantitative conversion of the high affinity (Rx) to the lower affinity (Ry) state can be induced by mild heating (30 degrees C) in the presence of estradiol and ATP, or the synthetic analogue alpha,beta-methylene adenosine triphosphate and the divalent cation Mg2+. Other nucleotides, including ADP, GTP, CTP, cAMP, and cGMP, as well as the nonhydrolyzable analogues beta,gamma-methylene adenosine triphosphate and alpha,beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate are ineffective. The conversion occurs only partially in the absence of estradiol but completely in its presence. The process is not inhibited by the protease inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and alpha 2-macroglobulin, and when conversion is induced by low concentrations of ATP (1 mM), a time dependent reequilibration back to Rx occurs. These observations and the fact that the pure hormone-binding peptides Rx and Ry have similar molecular weights on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (66,000) confirm that proteolysis is not involved in the conversion. Moreover their physical properties suggest that Rx and Ry exist in alternate conformations, with Ry being favored as a result of an ATP-mediated event involving the gamma-phosphoryl moiety. The biological relevance of the receptor conversion is suggested by studies with the antiestrogen hydroxytamoxifen. This antiestrogen binds to Rx with higher affinity than either estradiol or diethylstilbestrol but with low affinity to Ry. Hydroxytamoxifen also inhibits the conversion of Rx to Ry. Since this antiestrogen is a complete antagonist in the chick oviduct and prevents estradiol-induced stimulation of ovalbumin gene transcription, it is speculated that Rx to Ry conversion is crucial for ovalbumin gene activation and that Rx may act as a transcriptional repressor. Furthermore, since Rx and Ry both bind to nuclei and DNA, it is proposed that the presence of Ry is a better predictor of ovalbumin gene activation than DNA binding alone.

Receptor interconversion model of hormone action. II. Nucleotide-mediated conversion of estrogen receptors from nonsteroid binding to the lower affinity binding state.

Two steroid binding states of an estrogen receptor each with different equilibrium constants (Kd values) Rx (Kd = 0.06 nM) and Ry (Kd = 0.8 nM) have been identified and characterized in the hen and estrogen-stimulated chick oviduct. A third nonestrogen binding form of the receptor, designated Rnb, is now described which exists in short-term estrogen withdrawn chick oviduct cytosol. A model is presented in which the receptor can be interconverted between the three states. The interconversion is monitored by Scatchard analysis, sucrose density gradient analysis, and affinity labeling using [3H]tamoxifen aziridine followed by receptor purification with estrogen receptor monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. The results are consistent with each state existing in different conformations having a common molecular weight of approximately 66,000. This paper defines the conditions and nucleotide requirements for the Rnb to Ry conversion. The conversion to the steroid binding form is induced by ATP, ADP, and GTP. Cyclic nucleotides are ineffective. There is a specific requirement for Mg2+; neither Ca2+ nor Mn2+ will substitute. Nonhydrolyzable nucleotide analogues were tested for their relative efficiency to convert Rnb to Ry. Conversion occurred with alpha,beta-methylene adenosine triphosphate, but beta,gamma-methylene adenosine triphosphate and alpha,beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate were inert. Thus, activation of Rnb to form Ry appears to be catalyzed by an event requiring the loss of the terminal phosphoryl moiety from either ATP or ADP. Receptor derived from conversion of Rnb to Ry has the same physical properties as native Ry. Activation of Rnb is to Ry specifically; no increase in the Rx form of estrogen receptor was ever observed. The accompanying paper similarly describes the Rx to Ry conversion. Since these data also explain observations made with glucocorticoid and with epidermal growth factor receptors, it is speculated that the receptor interconversion model may have general application to hormone action.

Immunocytochemical localization of corticosteroid-binding globulin in rat tissues.

Previous studies utilizing steroid-binding assays have suggested that corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG)-like glucocorticoid binding sites are present in various tissues of the rat. It is not known, however, whether such binding reflects the intracellular presence of CBG derived from serum or a special class (type III) of receptors. In order to elucidate this problem, immunocytochemical localization of rat CBG was carried out using a specific antiserum prepared against rat serum CBG and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Positive staining was found in certain cells of the liver, the distal and/or convoluted tubules of the kidney, the uterus, the follicular cells of the thyroid, and some cells of the anterior pituitary. Other tissues including heart, muscle, thymus, hypothalamus, supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, and diaphragm were negative. The presence of immunoreactive CBG in specific cells of some glucocorticoid-responsive tissues and not others raises interesting questions concerning the transport of glucocorticoids and their mechanism of action.

Evidence for the direct transfer of corticosteroid-binding globulin from plasma to whey in the guinea pig.

Two steroid-binding proteins, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) and progesterone-binding globulin (PBG), are known to be present in the milk whey of lactating guinea pigs. After injection of radioiodinated CBG into the maternal circulation, labeled CBG was found in the milk whey. The labeled whey CBG was identical to its plasma counterpart on the basis of size (sucrose gradients, Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis), charge (DEAE-chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and immunoprecipitability. In contrast, radioiodinated ovalbumin was not transferred to the milk. These results demonstrate that the CBG present in guinea pig whey results from the direct transfer of CBG from plasma to milk.

Reversible activation of non-steroid binding oestrogen receptor.

Two high-affinity oestrogen receptors have been identified in the chick oviduct with equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of 0.1 and 1 nM, differing in their binding kinetics, role in ovalbumin synthesis and independent regulation in vivo. The higher-affinity receptor (X) increases RNA polymerase II activity directly, whereas the low-affinity receptor (Y) seems to be necessary to confer specificity to transcription of oestrogen-dependent genes. Acute administration of progesterone to oestrogen-stimulated chicks results in preferential destruction of the nuclear Y receptor accompanied by interruption of ovalbumin gene transcription. Here we demonstrate that receptor Y exists in a non-oestradiol binding form (Ynb) which can be activated to the binding form in vitro by treatment with either ATP or ADP. Furthermore, dialysis of oviduct cytosol, which has no effect on the high-affinity receptor X, converts receptor Y to Ynb; receptor Y can then be recovered by treatment with ATP in the presence of Mg2+ and independently of Ca2+. This is the first report of the controlled interconversion between a non-steroid binding form of oestrogen receptor and active receptor in a tissue that contains two independently regulated oestrogen receptor types.

Cellular localization of chorionic gonadotropin in human fetal kidney and liver.

Earlier, we reported that second trimester human fetal kidney and, to a much lesser extent, human fetal liver were capable of synthesizing and secreting the beta-subunit of hCG. Recently, we also have shown that these tissues, likewise, synthesize and secrete the alpha-subunit of hCG. The hCG produced is biologically active. To determine the cellular localization of these peptides, immunocytochemical studies were performed on human fetal tissues using antibodies against beta hCG, alpha hCG, and the intact hormone. Placental syncytiotrophoblast served as an immunopositive control. In the human fetal kidney, the ascending (thick) limb of the loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and occasional cells in the collecting ducts were distinctly immunopositive for both beta hCG and the alpha-subunit. Small amounts of light positive staining occurred in only a few hepatocytes. Placental syncytiotrophoblast was routinely positive for both subunits, but fetal lung and striated muscle were negative. These immunocytochemical results indicate that immunoreactive beta hCG as well as the alpha-subunit are present in placental syncytiotrophoblast, in the distal renal nephron, and in a limited population of hepatocytes. The qualitative number and intensity of immunopositive cells closely correlate with the quantitative amounts of their hCG subunit synthesis. Taken together with our previous biosynthetic data, the immunocytochemical localization reported here indicates the probable cellular sites of alpha- and beta hCG synthesis in these tissues. The presence of comparable alpha- and beta-subunit staining in identical cell populations suggests that both hCG subunits and, therefore, perhaps intact hCG are produced at these same cellular sites during fetal life.

A homologous radioimmunoassay for rat corticosteroid-binding globulin.

A rapid, specific, and sensitive RIA was developed for rat corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). Rat CBG was purified by affinity chromatography and its precise concentration was determined by amino acid analysis. This rat CBG was injected into rabbits to raise antiserum and was used both as the assay standard and as the tracer after labeling with 125I. Antiserum to CBG was judged specific by immunoelectrophoresis and by the comparison of RIA values with steroid-binding assay values obtained following serum fractionation on ion exchange and sizing resins. The RIA was used to determine CBG levels in pregnant rats (2.65 microM on day 14 falling to 0.95 microM at parturition), their corresponding fetuses (0.24 microM on day 18 and 0.16 microM at parturition), and amniotic fluid (0.051 microM on day 13 rising to 0.21 microM on day 21).

The role of tyrosine in the binding of steroid by progesterone binding globulin from the guinea pig.

Treatment of progesterone binding globulin (PBG) with tetranitromethane (TNM) resulted in a loss of steroid binding activity (inactivation) which was dependent on both time and concentration of reagent. Scatchard analysis of binding revealed that inactivation was due to a decrease in binding site number with no effect upon the affinity of PBG for steroid. Incorporation studies demonstrated that the loss of binding activity correlated with the incorporation of 1.3 nitro groups per molecule of PBG. The involvement of the steroid binding site in the reaction was shown by the ability of progesterone, but not cortisol, to protect against inactivation. Treatment with N-acetylimidazole did not inactivate PBG nor did the conversion of nitrotyrosyl residues to amino-tyrosines regenerate binding activity, suggesting that the pheolic hydroxyl is not involved in steroid binding. These studies suggest that inactivation was due to the incorporation of a bulky group into the aromatic ring of a tyrosine present at the steroid binding site thus blocking its ability to participate in hydrophobic interactions with the ligand.

Fetal tissue can synthesize a placental hormone. Evidence for chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit synthesis by human fetal kidney.

Metabolically active tissues from second trimester human fetuses were examined for their ability to synthesize the placental hormones chorionic gonadotropin and chorionic somatomammotropin. During short-term incubation studies both placenta and fetal kidney were found to synthesize and secrete the beta-subunit of chorionic gonadotropin, whereas its synthesis was not observed in fetal liver, lung or muscle. In addition, chorionic somatomammotropin synthesis and secretion was demonstrated with placental tissue but could not be detected in any of the fetal tissues examined. These observations constitute the first evidence that the genome of a fetal tissue directs the synthesis of what is considered a placental hormone.

Steroid-binding proteins in guinea pig milk and plasma.

The levels of two steroid-binding proteins, progesterone-binding globulin (PBG) (1) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), present in the plasma of pregnant guinea pigs were determined just before and after parturition. Both PBG (3.37 +/- 2.1 microM) and CBG (10.1 +/- 1.7 microM) were present in high levels just before parturition and were found to decrease with a half-life of 2 days after delivery. PBG and CBG were also found in the milk whey of lactating guinea pigs but at much lower levels (26.5 +/- 12 and 375 +/- 18 nM, respectively, on day 1 post partum). The whey content of each protein declined with a half-life of 3 days. The whey steroid-binding proteins were indistinguishable from their plasma counterparts on the basis of ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies, sucrose gradient centrifugation, susceptibility to heat denaturation, and hormone binding specificity.