Steroid-protein interactions. XXI. Metal ion inhibition of association between progesterone and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

Metal-dependent hormone function: the emerging interdisciplinary field of metalloendocrinology

For over 100 years, there has been an incredible amount of knowledge amassed concerning hormones in the endocrine system and their central role in human health. Hormones represent a diverse group of biomolecules that are released by glands, communicate signals to their target tissue, and are regulated by feedback loops to maintain organism health. Many disease states, such as diabetes and reproductive disorders, stem from misregulation or dysfunction of hormones. Increasing research is illuminating the intricate roles of metal ions in the endocrine system where they may act advantageously in concert with hormones or deleteriously catalyze hormone-associated disease states. As the critical role of metal ions in the endocrine system becomes more apparent, it is increasingly important to untangle the complex mechanisms underlying the connections between inorganic biochemistry and hormone function to understand and control endocrinological phenomena. This tutorial review harmonizes the interdisciplinary fields of endocrinology and inorganic chemistry in the newly-termed field of "metalloendocrinology". We describe examples linking metals to both normal and aberrant hormone function with a focus on highlighting insight to molecular mechanisms. Hormone activities related to both essential metal micronutrients, such as copper, iron, zinc, and calcium, and disruptive nonessential metals, such as lead and cadmium are discussed.

In vitro assessment of iron effect on porcine ovarian granulosa cells: secretory activity, markers of proliferation and apoptosis

It would be desirable to expand the existing general knowledge concerning direct action of metals on the ovary. Nevertheless, the results of testing of iron compound on porcine ovarian cells should be interpreted carefully because iron is an essential element which could also induce changes in cellular processes. The aim of this in vitro study was 1) to examine dose-dependent effects of iron on the secretory activity of porcine ovarian granulosa cells, and 2) to outline the potential intracellular mediators mediating these effects. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of iron sulphate on the release of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and progesterone, as well as the expression of markers of proliferation (cyclin B1) and apoptosis (caspase-3) in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Concentrations of IGF-I and progesterone were determined by RIA, cyclin B1 and caspase-3 expression by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Our results show a significantly decreased IGF-I secretion by ovarian granulosa cells after iron sulphate addition at the doses 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml. The iron sulphate additions at doses 0.17 and 1.0 mg/ml had no effect on progesterone secretion. In contrast, iron sulphate addition at doses 0.17-1.0 mg/ml resulted in stimulation of cyclin B1 and caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, the present results indicate a direct effect of iron on 1) secretion of growth factor IGF-I but not steroid hormone progesterone, 2) expression of markers of proliferation (cyclin B1), or 3) apoptosis (caspase-3) of porcine ovarian granulosa cells. These results support an idea that iron could play a regulatory role in porcine ovarian function: hormone release, proliferation and apoptosis.

Human alpha-1-glycoprotein and its interactions with drugs

For about half a century, the binding of drugs to plasma albumin, the "silent receptor," has been recognized as one of the major determinants of drug action, distribution, and disposition. In the last decade, the binding of drugs, especially but not exclusively basic entities, to another plasma protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), has increasingly become important in this regard. The present review points out that hundreds of drugs with diverse structures bind to this glycoprotein. Although plasma concentration of AAG is much lower than that of albumin, AAG can become the major drug binding macromolecule in plasma with significant clinical implications. Also, briefly reviewed are the physiological, pathological, and genetic factors that influence binding, the role of AAG in drug-drug interactions, especially the displacement of drugs and endogenous substances from AAG binding sites, and pharmacokinetic and clinical consequences of such interactions. It can be predicted that in the future, rapid automatic methods to measure binding to albumin and/or AAG will routinely be used in drug development and in clinical practice to predict and/or guide therapy.

Delipidation of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. Propranolol binding to this glycoprotein and its modification by extracted material and exogenous lipids

Propranolol binding to human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) delipidated by two methods is described. Commercial AAG (99% pure) was either precipitated by ethanol-acetone and then washed by ether, or it was precipitated by ethanol. Binding capacity was quantified by the product n x Ka where n denotes the number of binding sites and Ka the association constant (M-1). Propranolol binding to nondelipidated AAG (n x Ka = 0.113 +/- 0.013 microM-1) was clearly increased after precipitation by ethanol-acetone (n x Ka = 0.386 +/- 0.109 microM-1) or precipitation by ethanol (n x Ka = 0.312 +/- 0.096 microM-1). Binding capacity potentiation cannot be due to modification of AAG microheterogeneity forms, as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis pattern of AAG in presence of concanavalin A was not altered after both methods. Recombination of precipitated AAGs with supernatant dry residue resulted in the abrogation of observed potentiation. Moreover, addition of a polar lipid, linoleic acid, (from 30 to 300 microM) strongly inhibited propranolol binding. These results indicated that glycoprotein precipitation by ethanol provided a simple method to further study binding inhibitors associated with isolated AAG.

Binding of antiarrhythmic drugs to purified human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein

The binding of lidocaine, verapamil, propafenone and propranolol to isolated, purified human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was studied using equilibrium dialysis. Lidocaine and verapamil bound to a single class of binding sites which was characterized by high affinity (kd1 for lidocaine was 5.79 x 10(-6)M-1 and for verapamil 3.43 X 10(-6)M-1) and low capacity (n = 0.40 for lidocaine and 0.62 for verapamil). The binding of propafenone revealed two classes of binding sites, both with high affinity (kd1 was 7.62 X 10(-6)M-1 and kd2 was 6.00 X 10(-8)M-1) and low capacity (n1 = 0.79 and n2 = 0.20). Propranolol bound to at least two classes of binding sites (kd1 was 2.56 X 10(-6)M-1; n1 = 0.58). Complete characterization of the binding parameters of the second site was not possible due to failure to achieve saturation.

A simplified ultrafiltration method for determination of serum free cortisol

We describe the suitability of the Amicon MPS-1 centrifugal ultrafiltration device and the YMB membrane for measuring free cortisol in serum. The method combines two independent assays: total cortisol and the ultrafiltrate fraction of added [3H]cortisol. The unbound fraction is determined in 0.25-0.30 ml of ultrafiltrate collected from 0.6 to 1 ml of serum that has been equilibrated with [3H]cortisol at 37 degrees C for 20 min. The assay is rapid (less than 1 h), practical ( no more than 0.6 ml of serum is necessary) and repeatable (CV: 3.8% within-assay and 12.2% in different assays). Error introduced in free cortisol measurement due to dilution effects in dialysis is systematically defined, and the effect of tracer purity on the ultrafiltration method is examined. Dialyzed sera from normal men and women, from patients with Cushing's disease and adrenal insufficiency, and from pregnant women gave ultrafiltration results that accurately duplicated those obtained by previous dialysis.

Characterization of a common binding site for basic drugs on human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid)

The interaction of chlorpromazine, DL-propranolol, and imipramine with isolated alpha 1-acid glycoprotein is characterized by relatively high association constants and only one binding site per protein molecule. The mutual displacement between the three drugs indicates that all three compounds are bound to the same binding site. Several other basic drugs from different pharmacological and chemical classes also displace chlorpromazine, DL-propranolol, and imipramine with potencies, one would predict from their association constants or from the degree of their plasma binding in humans. It is concluded that displacement phenomena like those observed in this study in vitro are likely to occur also in vivo.

Optical studies on the specific interaction of dipyridamole with alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid)

The interaction of dipyridamole with alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was investigated by circular dichroism and ultraviolet absorbance measurements as well as by equilibrium dialysis experiments. Dipyridamole is bound to the protein via one site of extremely high affinity and by at least one site of considerably lower affinity. Only the association of dipyridamole with the high affinity site produces typical extrinsic Cotton effects. As a result of experimental observations it is concluded that the high affinity site is located in a hydrophobic protein structure of the glycoprotein.

The preparation of orosomucoid from nephrotic urine

A gel chromatographic and ion exchange procedure is described for the preparation of orosomucoid from nephrotic urine. The removal of endogenous lipid and glycosaminoglycan than yields a highly homogeneous preparation. Aggregates are formed at ambient temperatures and as a result of lyophilisation of ultrafiltration.

Pancuronium binding by serum proteins

Pancuronium has not been suspected of binding to serum proteins. Experimental evidence is presented of strong binding to gamma globulin, and of moderate binding to albumin. No evidence could be found of binding to alpha of beta globulin fractions. Less than 13% of a dose in the clinical range would be unbound and active.

Steroid-protein interactions. XXXIV. Chemical modification of alpha1-acid glycoprotein for characterization of the progesterone binding site

The nature of the steroid binding site in alpha1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) was investigated by chemical modification of individual amino acids and subsequent examination of the binding affinity for progesterone. Equilibrium dialyses were performed under conditions that excluded contact with human skin. Reaction of the lysyl residues with trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid or arylisocyanates resulted in a reduction of active sites. In an alternate approach, one lysyl residue of alpha1-acid glycoprotein was protected from modification by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid when progesterone was present to form the complex with alpha1-acid glycoprotein. We conclude that a lysyl residue is located in the binding site. Reaction of tetranitromethane with the tyrosine groups in alpha1-acid glycoprotein also reduced the number of active binding sites for progesterone. Again, a partial protection of this modification was seen in the presence of progesterone and other delta4-3-ketosteroids. The progesterone binding activity observed in the tyrosine-modified alpha1-acid glycoprotein by equilibrium dialysis and by fluorescence quenching titration can be interpreted best by the presence of one tyrosyl residue in the binding site, and involvement of a second tyrosine nearby. Modification of tryptophan in alpha1-acid glycoprotein by mild acid hydrolysis, N-bromosuccinimide, hydroxynitrobenzylbromide, and formic acid resulted in a decreased steroid binding; the formylation reaction was fully reversible. The approximate distance between progesterone and the tryptophan involved in the binding was calculated to be between 9.1 A and 14.1 A. When alpah1-acid glycoprotein was cleaved by the cyanogen bromide procedure according to Ikenaka et al. (1972, Biochemistry 11, 3817-3829), both the amino and the carboxyl fragment had a weak progesterone binding affinity which could be measured in 4 M NaCl. This result thus failed to specify the location of the steroid binding site in alpha1-acid glycoprotein. However, the closeness of tryptophan, lysine and tyrosine in the primary and presumably the tertiary structure of alpha1-acid glycoprotein is in agreement with the properties of the binding site suggested by our studies.

Further studies of binding of bromosulphthalein sodium by human serum albumin: effects of albumin concentration and buffer composition

1. Binding isotherms of equilibrium solution concentration of bromosulphthalein (BSP) determined on the number of moles of BSP bound per mole of human serum albumin (HSA) in 310 ideal milliosmolar pH 7.4, Krebs-Henseleit and Krebs improved mammalian Ringer number 1 buffers at 37 degrees C were determined using continuous diafiltration. The albumin concentration range was from about 10 to 30 g/litre.2. The results indicate a competition between HSA polymerization and HSA binding BSP, confirming in more physiological conditions, the findings of Crawford, Jones, Thompson & Wells (1972) with pH 7.4 phosphate buffer.3. The results in Krebs-Henseleit buffer were markedly different from those in Krebs mammalian Ringer buffer and it is suggested that the differences in ionic composition influence the HSA conformation and so affect the competition between HSA polymerization and HSA binding BSP.