Androgen receptor in the Harderian gland of Rana esculenta

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. d'Istria ◽  
G. Chieffi-Baccari ◽  
L. Di Matteo ◽  
S. Minucci ◽  
B. Varriale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Rana Esculenta ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Nuclear Extracts

ABSTRACT An androgen receptor has been identified in the cytosolic and nuclear extracts of the Harderian gland of the frog, Rana esculenta. A single class of high-affinity binding sites was found: Kd = 1·9±1·3 (s.d.) nmol/l (n = 26) for the cytosolic extract and Kd = 0·9±0·8 nmol/l (n = 15) for the nuclear extract. The presence of binding activity in both nuclear and cytosolic extracts and the low rate of ligand-receptor dissociation are characteristics that distinguish this receptor from a steroid-binding protein. The Kd did not show any sex difference and did not exhibit any secretory activity-related change. Binding in both cytosolic and nuclear extracts was specific for androgens (testosterone = 5α-dihydrotestosterone); oestradiol-17β showed a 30% cross-reaction; moreover, specific binding of [3H]oestradiol-17β was not detectable. The binding capacity of the Harderian gland increased progressively in both fractions from October to December, reaching a peak in May, and decreased suddenly during July to August. The lack of any morphological sex-related difference in the Harderian gland of the green frog might be accounted for by the high amount of circulating androgens as well as a similar concentration of androgen receptor in both sexes. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 227–232

A new sex dimorphism in the Harderian gland of the frog Rana esculenta

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (8) ◽  
pp. 909-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismene Serino ◽  
Gaia Izzo ◽  
Diana Ferrara ◽  
Michela d’Istria ◽  
Sergio Minucci
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis ◽  
Rana Esculenta ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Two Peaks ◽  
Constant Expression

The Harderian gland (Hg), the only gland found in the orbit of the frog Rana esculenta L., 1758, probably plays a role in orbital lubrication. The secretory activity of the Hg is seasonal, showing the highest activity in summer. There is little information on Hg gene expression; previously, we identified a mRNA named harderin, whose deduced protein has no homology with other proteins. Differential expression of the harderin transcript between the sexes expressed during the annual cycle implies sexual dimorphism. RT–PCR (reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction) analysis, revealed that harderin is expressed during the entire year in the Hg of both sexes. It shows a higher level of expression in the female glands than that of male glands. Two peaks of expression, in February and in June, were observed in the female glands, while only the February peak was observed in those of males. These observations were supported by in situ hybridization. Experiments involving gonadectomy and (or) hormonal replacement therapy showed a significant decrease in harderin in the Hg of females; this effect is prevented by estradiol (testosterone had no effect), while ICI (antiestrogen) counteracts the hormonal prevention, suggesting that this sexual dimorphism is under estradiol control. The constant expression of harderin mRNA during the year suggests a probable constitutive role for this molecule.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor receptors in primary human thyroid neoplasms

1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tohru Yashiro ◽  
Yoshito Ohba ◽  
Hitomi Murakami ◽  
Takao Obara ◽  
Toshio Tsushima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Human Thyroid ◽  
Scatchard Analysis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Cancer Tissues

Abstract. The presence of IGF-I receptors was demonstrated in normal and neoplastic tissues of human thyroid. Binding of [125I]IGF-I to thyroid membranes was dependent on time and temperature of incubation, and maximal binding was achieved at 4°C and 18 h of incubation. [125I] IGF-I binding was dose-dependently displaced by unlabelled IGF-I; half-maximal inhibition occurred at concentrations of 10–20 μg/l. IGF-II and insulin had relative potencies of 5 and 1% compared with IGF-I. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed a single class of IGF-I receptors with high affinity (Ka: 1.2–8.6 × 109 1/mol) in normal thyroid tissues. Affinity cross-linking and autoradiography demonstrated the type I IGF receptors. Specific binding of [125I] IGF-I in thyroid cancer tissues (9.69 ± 2.07% per 200 μg protein; mean ± sem, N = 8) was significantly (p <0.05) higher than that in the surrounding normal tissues (3.03 ± 0.35%, N = 8). In contrast, there was no difference in the binding between adenoma tissues (4.19 ± 0.53%, N = 5) and the adjacent normal tissues (2.94 ± 0.24%, N = 5). The higher IGF-I binding in cancer tissues was due to an increase in the binding capacity without any change in the affinity. The presence of IGF-I receptors suggests a possible role of IGF-I and its receptors in the growth of thyroid cancer cells.

Cytoplasmic and nuclear progesterone receptors in mouse mammary tumours during pregnancy determined by an improved hydroxylapatite assay

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Koseki ◽  
M. E. Costlow ◽  
D. Cole ◽  
A. Matsuzawa
Keyword(s):  
Progesterone Receptors ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Scatchard Analysis ◽  
Normal Mammary Gland ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Heat Stable ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Complete Exchange

The binding of [3H] 17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (R5020) to progesterone receptors in cytosol and nuclear extracts (0·6 m-KCl) of the pregnancy-dependent, TPDMT-4 mouse mammary tumour was measured at various stages of pregnancy. Compared with conventional dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) assays, a hydroxylapatite assay with DCC pretreatment and precharging of the cytosol with unlabelled R5020 (4 × 10−8 mol/l, for 3–4 h at 4 °C) showed the highest level of binding. The DCC treatment markedly increased the level of R5020 binding in both cytosol and nuclear extracts by allowing the receptor to bind to hydroxylapatite. The DCC pretreatment apparently removed a heat-stable and non-dialysable factor which prevented the receptor from binding to the hydroxylapatite. Using this assay R5020 binding reached a steady state in 24 h at 4 °C, with complete exchange of radioactive for non-radioactive ligand by 20 h. Nuclear extracts did not require precharging and complete exchange was more rapid. Scatchard analysis (without precharging) disclosed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant for cytosol of 3·2 ± 0·8 (s.e.m.) × 10−9 mol/l (n = 3) and 4·7 ± 0·6 × 10−9 mol/l (n = 5) for the nuclear extract. Binding was hormone-specific and progesterone translocated binding from the cytoplasm to the nucleus both in vivo and in vitro. Translocation, however, led to a substantial loss of total (nuclear + cytoplasmic receptors. During pregnancy, cytoplasmic progesterone receptor levels were unchanged and low compared to nuclear progesterone receptors which increased by sevenfold from days 1 to 11 and then decreased at day 16. Compared with recent data on cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in normal mammary gland, our results suggested that this tumour may have a reduced sensitivity to the down-regulatory activity of progesterone. This lesion may, in part, account for the failure of the tumour to differentiate during pregnancy.

Evidence for a direct action of GH on haemopoietic cells of a marine fish, the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

1995 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Calduch-Giner ◽  
A Sitjà-Bobadilla ◽  
P Álvarez-Pellitero ◽  
J Pérez-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Sparus Aurata ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Head Kidney ◽  
Gilthead Sea Bream ◽  
Sea Bream ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Lower Vertebrate

Abstract Receptors for GH were characterized in the head kidney of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), using radioiodinated and biotinylated ligands. The specific binding of radiolabelled recombinant gilthead sea bream GH (rsbGH) to head kidney membrane preparations was dependent on membrane concentration. Salmon prolactin, salmon gonadotrophin and carp gonadotrophin did not compete for 125I-labelled rsbGH-binding sites. Unlabelled rsbGH competitively displaced 125I-labelled rsbGH bound to head kidney membranes. Scatchard plots were always linear, denoting the presence of a single class of binding sites. The binding affinity (Ka=2·7 × 109 m−1) was equivalent to that found in liver membrane preparations, but the binding capacity (2·5 ±0·30 fmol/mg protein) was 50- to 75-fold lower. To identify the cells which express the GH receptor, head kidney smears were incubated with biotinylated rsbGH, followed by incubation with an avidin–biotin complex conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The reaction with the new-fuchsin substrate gave a red precipitate, showing a specific and intense labelling in erythroblasts, polychromatophilic erythroblasts and myeloblasts. Noticeable binding was observed in myelocytes and immature granulocytes, tending to disappear at the latter stages of granulocyte maturation. Light but appreciable binding was also observed in monocytes, lymphocytes and acidophilic erythroblasts, whereas it was completely absent in proerythrocytes and erythrocytes. The proliferative action of rsbGH and recombinant human IGF-I on in vitro cultures of head kidney cells was demonstrated by a 5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine immunoassay. To our knowledge, this is the first report that provides suitable evidence for a role of GH as a haemopoietic growth and differentiation factor in lower vertebrate species. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 146, 459–467

Hormone regulation of the rodent Harderian gland: binding properties of the androgen receptor in the male golden hamster

1987 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Vilchis ◽  
A. Hernandez ◽  
A. E. Perez ◽  
G. Perez-Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Sedimentation Coefficient ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Hormone Regulation ◽  
Apparent Dissociation Constant ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
Male Golden Hamster ◽  
Sucrose Gradient Ultracentrifugation ◽  
Androgen Binding

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted in castrated golden hamsters to assess whether sexual dimorphism and sensitivity to sex steroid hormones in the rodent Harderian gland are mediated by an interaction of androgens with specific intracellular receptors. Physical properties, binding kinetics and stereospecificity of the androgen receptor were analysed using [3H]mibolerone as the radioligand. The presence of [3H]mibolerone–androgen receptor complexes with a sedimentation coefficient of 7–8S was demonstrated in Harderian gland cytosol by a linear sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation technique using a vertical rotor. Kinetic analysis revealed an androgen-binding site with an apparent dissociation constant of 0·3±0·07 (s.d.) nmol/l and a saturation binding capacity of 113±15 fmol/mg protein. Displacement studies indicated that unlabelled mibolerone, methyltrienolone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone were efficient competitors for the androgen-binding sites, while progesterone, 17β-oestradiol, dexamethasone, dehydroepiandrosterone, ethiocholanolone and 5α-16-androsten-3-one were not. Experiments in long-term castrated animals revealed that the Harderian gland androgen receptor concentration and sedimentation coefficient remained unmodified. The results of these studies were interpreted as demonstrating the presence of a specific high-affinity intracellular androgen receptor in the male hamster Harderian gland. J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 3–8

Effect of thiol blocking agents on the binding of T3 and T4 in rat liver nuclear extract

1981 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Knopp ◽  
J. Brtko
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Blocking Agent ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Structural Configuration ◽  
Blocking Agents ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Liver Nuclei ◽  
Apparent Association

Abstract. Liver nuclei bind thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) with different binding affinities. In our studies it was estimated that the apparent association constant (Ka) in the liver nuclei for T3 was 8.8 × 1010 l mol−1 and for T4 was 4.1 × 109 l mol−1. We have found that the binding sites for T4 are also saturated by an excess of unlabelled T4 and that saturation was dependent on the purification step of liver binding proteins. In liver nuclear extracts with 0.4 mol l−1 KCl the specific binding of T3 and T4 was blocked with a typical -SH blocking agent N-ethylmaleinimide (NEM) and by new types of -SH blocking agents such as p-bromphenylisothiocyanate (p-BPI) and 2,3 dicyano-1,4-dithio-9,10 antrachinone (Delan). NEM and p-BPI increased the non-specific binding of T4 and completely abolished specific binding. All these agents blocked the specific binding of T3. These results demonstrate that T3 and T4 binding sites in the liver nuclei may not be altogether identical and that the different effects of -SH blocking agents on the binding of T3 and T4 is probably associated with the structural configuration of these drugs.

Inactivation of the β-adrenergic receptor in cardiac muscle by dithiols

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 932-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor I. Prior ◽  
Vandana Patel ◽  
G. I. Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Reduced Glutathione ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Ventricular Muscle ◽  
Adrenergic Antagonist ◽  
Equilibrium Dissociation ◽  
Rabbit Ventricular Muscle ◽  
Membrane Binding Sites

The effect of sulfhydryl reagents on binding of the β-adrenergic antagonist (−)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol hydrochloride ((−)-[3H]DHA) to a microsomal fraction of rabbit ventricular muscle was studied. Incubation with the disulfide reducing agents dithiothreitol (DTT), 2-mercaptocthanol, and reduced glutathione resulted in loss of (−)-[3H]DHA binding. At 500 μM DTT, less than 50% of specific binding activity remained; at 100 mM, binding was completely eliminated. 2-Mercaptoethanol and reduced glutathione were less effective than DTT at inhibiting binding activity. The total binding capacity (Bmax) decreased from 155.4 fmol mg−1 of protein, in the absence of DTT, to 92.4 and 77.5 fmol mg−1 at 0.25 and 0.7 mM DTT, respectively. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) increased from 7.6 nM, in the absence of DTT, to 10.3 nM at 0.25 mM DTT and to 20.8 nM at 0.7 mM DTT. Thus, DTT-induced decline in (−)-[3H]DHA binding results from a decrease in both the number and affinity of membrane binding sites for the tracer. Receptors could be protected from DTT inactivation by preincubation with β-adrenergic ligands. Oxidants could not reverse inactivation, with the exception of o-iodosobenzoate which was only partially effective. Thus, the β-adrenergic receptor of rabbit ventricular muscle contains essential disulfide moietie(s) which can be inactivated by reducing thiols.

Receptors for angiotensin I1 on platelets from man

1984 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 725-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Ding ◽  
Christopher J. Kenyon ◽  
Peter F. Semple
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Scatchard Analysis ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Single Class

1. Platelets were prepared from peripheral venous blood on iso-osmotic density gradients of Percoll, resulting in a good recovery of cells (50–80%) which were relatively free of contaminating blood cells (erythrocyte <0.1%, leucocyte <0.1%). 2. At 22°C, specific binding of 125labelled angiotensin II (300 pmol/l) was time and temperature dependent, saturable, reversible and linear with cell concentration. 3. Scatchard analysis of saturation curves revealed a single class of binding sites with Kd 1.5 ± 0.4 × 10−10 mol/l and total binding capacity 6.3 ± 1.2 receptorslplatelet. Similar values (Kd 2.4 ± 0.7 × 10−10 mol/l and binding capacity 6.5 ± 1.0 receptors/cell) were obtained by displacement analysis. From kinetic studies the forward and reverse rate constants were 3.1 × 108 mol min−1 1−1 and 3.6 × 10−2/min giving a Kd of 1.2 × 10−10mol/l. 4. The relative binding potencies for angiotensin I1 and analogues were: [Sar1, Thr8]ANC II > ANG II > ANG III > [Sar1, Ala8]ANG II > ANG I. 5. Incubation with an extracellular marker (51Cr-labelled EDTA) demonstrated that binding of angiotensin II to platelets was not due to free fluid endocytosis.

Human orbital fibroblasts in culture bind and respond to endothelin

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (1) ◽  
pp. C138-C142 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Smith ◽  
R. J. Kottke ◽  
H. Lum ◽  
T. T. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Human Fibroblasts ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Acetoxymethyl Ester ◽  
Single Class ◽  
Free Concentration ◽  
Amino Acid Peptide ◽  
Orbital Fibroblasts

Human fibroblasts in primary cell culture were studied for their ability to bind to endothelin (ET), a 21-amino acid peptide with profound vasoconstricting properties. When 125I-labeled ET-1 was incubated with confluent orbital fibroblasts in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled ligand, a single class of binding site was defined with a dissociation constant of 1.42 x 10(-8) M and a maximal binding capacity of 9.1 x 10(-10) mol/micrograms protein. ET-3 was a substantially less potent competitor for 125I-ET-1 binding sites than was unlabeled ET-1. Dermal fibroblasts demonstrated approximately 75% less ET-1 saturation binding activity, on a cellular protein basis, than did those from the orbit. Orbital fibroblasts responded to ET-1 (10(-9) M) with a rapid and transient increase in the free concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) as assessed by monitoring acetoxymethyl ester of fura 2 fluorescence intensity. Rechallenge with the peptide elicited a substantially attenuated response than that seen after the initial treatment. There was no consistent effect of ET-1 on [Ca2+]i in dermal cultures. ET-3 failed to influence [Ca2+]i in either type of fibroblast. It would appear that orbital fibroblasts bind and respond to ET in a manner distinct from that observed in dermal fibroblasts, raising the possibility that the peptide may have site-specific actions in orbital connective tissue.

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