The binding of rat uterine cytosol oestrogen receptors to oligodeoxythymidylate--cellulose. Its relationship to a stable form of receptor complex with separate ligand- and oligonucleotide-binding sites.
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ABSTRACT: The interaction of rat uterine cytosol oestrogen-receptor complexes with the synthetic acceptor oligo(dT)--cellulose was studied. Differences in the stability of receptor complexes and their ability to bind to oligo(dT)--cellulose on storage at 4 degrees C or when exposed to increased temperatures indicated heterogeneity of steroid- and oligonucleotide-binding sites. Dilution, dialysis and (NH4)2SO4 precipitation increased the interaction of receptor complexes with oligo(dT)--cellulose (a step termed activation). This increase may be the result of the removal of low-molecular-weight cytosol components which inhibit receptor activation, dimerization to the 5 S form, which binds to oligo(dT)--cellulose, or interaction of 5 S receptor with the oligonucleotide. Cytosol oestradiol--receptor complexes exhibited biphasic dissociation kinetics. All these manipulations resulted in an increase in the proportion of the slow-dissociating component equivalent to the increase in receptor binding to oligo(dT)--cellulose. In contrast, addition of 10mM-sodium molybdate to cytosol decreased both oligo(dT)--cellulose binding and the proportion of receptor with slow dissociation kinetics. The inclusion of proteinase inhibitors did not affect interactions of receptor with oligo(dT)--cellulose nor the dissociation kinetics. These results suggest that oligo(dT)--cellulose binding may serve to quantify the proportion of cytosol receptor in an active form capable of nuclear interaction and to help to ascertain whether a receptor system is fully functional. This binding procedure could prove useful in the evaluation of oestrogen responsivity under normal and pathological conditions.
Project description:The binding of rat uterine cytosol oestrogen receptor in vitro to oligo(dT)-cellulose is mediated by an activating factor in the cytosol [Thrower, Hall, Lim & Davison (1976) Biochem. J. 160, 271-280]. A potent inhibitor of this binding is present in hypothalamic cytosol. This inhibitor may have a role in vivo in regulating receptor translocation in the hypothalamus.
Project description:The steroid hormone receptors are characterized by binding to relatively rigid, inflexible endogenous steroid ligands. Other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily bind to conformationally flexible lipids and show a corresponding degree of elasticity in the ligand-binding pocket. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the oestrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) bound to an oestradiol derivative with a prosthetic group, ortho- trifluoromethlyphenylvinyl, which binds in a novel extended pocket in the ligand-binding domain. Unlike ER antagonists with bulky side groups, this derivative is enclosed in the ligand-binding pocket, and acts as a potent agonist. This work shows that steroid hormone receptors can interact with a wider array of pharmacophores than previously thought through structural plasticity in the ligand-binding pocket.
Project description:The significant challenges in the use of cellulose as a replacement for plastic are its mechanical properties' degradation and uncontrolled deformation during the rewetting process. Herein, inspired by the reinforcement of cellulose by lignin in natural plant tissue, a strong and water-stable lignin-cellulose composite (LCC) was developed. A nanocellulose hybrid lignin complex (CHLC) created from bagasse residue after enzymatic hydrolysis was added into a pulp of bleached fibre extracted from pine to produce a lignin-cellulose sheet. The lignin as a water-stable reinforcing matrix, via the hydrogen bonding of the nanocellulose in the CHLC with the fibre was efficiently introduced onto the fibres and the fibre network voids. Compared with a typical lignin-free cellulose sheet, the dry strength and wet strength of the LCC were 218% and 2233% higher, respectively. The developed LCC is an eco-friendly and biodegradable alternative to plastic.
Project description:In contrast with several earlier reports, cytosol from cockerel liver contains a significant concentration of a protein that binds oestradiol with high affinity. To demonstrate the activity, certain alterations in the conventional method of preparation of cytosol must be made. Homogenization in sucrose-containing buffer at pH 8.4 in the presence of proteinase inhibitors and rapid fractionation of the cytosol with (NH4)2SO4 enables demonstration of a single class of oestradiol-binding sites with a Kd of about 1 nM and specificity only for oestrogens. The concentration is about 300 sites per cell in liver from 2-week-old cockerels. Oestradiol treatment in vivo decreases the number of exchangeable cytosol oestradiol-binding sites by about 80% for 1--4h, after which time it is gradually restored. Gel filtration of the cytosol preparation in the presence of high salt concentrations reveals that most of the oestradiol-binding activity is in high-molecular-weight aggregates, but a mild trypsin treatment generates a specific binding protein with an approximate mol.wt. of 40 000. This protein may be an oestrogen receptor.
Project description:The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein is a prime target of virus-neutralizing antibodies present in convalescent sera of COVID-19 patients and thus is considered a key antigen for immunosurveillance studies and vaccine development. Although recombinant expression of RBD has been achieved in several eukaryotic systems, mammalian cells have proven particularly useful. The authors aimed to optimize RBD produced in HEK293-6E cells towards a stable homogeneous preparation and addressed its O-glycosylation as well as the unpaired cysteine residue 538 in the widely used RBD (319-541) sequence. The authors found that an intact O-glycosylation site at T323 is highly relevant for the expression and maintenance of RBD as a monomer. Furthermore, it was shown that deletion or substitution of the unpaired cysteine residue C538 reduces the intrinsic propensity of RBD to form oligomeric aggregates, concomitant with an increased yield of the monomeric form of the protein. Bead-based and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays utilizing these optimized RBD variants displayed excellent performance with respect to the specific detection of even low levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in convalescent sera. Hence, these RBD variants could be instrumental for the further development of serological SARS-CoV-2 tests and inform the design of RBD-based vaccine candidates.
Project description:The [3H]oestradiol-receptor complex was selectively isolated from rat uterus cytosol by column chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose. Optimal conditions are described for the binding of the complex to oligo(dT)-cellulose, which is shown to be similar to its binding to DNA-cellulose. The cytosol complex has an apparent mol. wt. of 50,000-60,000 in high salt concentrations, as determined by Sephadex G-100 chromatography. This corresponds to the 4S cytoplasmic oestradiol receptor. In binding to oligo(dT)-cellulose the receptor is transformed into a form with an apparent mol.wt. of 100,000-120,000, corresponding to the 5S nuclear receptor complex. This transformation mimics the conversion in vivo of the cytoplasmic oestradiol receptor into the nuclear form. The binding of the complex to oligo(dT)-cellulose as a 5S nuclear form is unequivocally demonstrated to require the mediation of an activating present in the cytosol. The requirement for an activating factor is discussed in relation to reports that nuclear binding of the oestradiol-receptor complex is not dictated solely by the availability of the cytoplasmic oestradiol receptor.
Project description:IntroductionUterine fibroids (UFs) are benign, monoclonal tumours of the female genital tract that originate from the myometrium. They may be diagnosed in as many as 80% of women depending on the selected population. UFs depend mostly on steroid hormones. Elevated levels of oestrogens and progesterone are believed to be among the most important factors inducing their formation and growth. These facts suggest that oestrogen (ESR) and progesterone receptors are crucial in UF pathophysiology as well. Previous studies have shown that, in some populations, polymorphisms in ESR genes (e.g. PvuII) constitute an important risk factor for UFs.Material and methodsThe aim of our study was to investigate whether ESRα PvuII polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of UFs in Caucasian women of Polish origin. A total of 197 patients (114 UF-positive and 83 controls) were included in this retrospective cohort study. ESRα gene polymorphism PvuII (rs2234693) was assayed with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).ResultsOur study found no significant difference in the occurrence of ESR PvuII polymorphism between women with UFs and UF-free controls in the selected population.ConclusionsOur results did not indicate a significant association between ESRα gene PvuII polymorphism and the risk of UFs in Caucasian women of Polish origin. More studies and comparisons between races are necessary to clarify the role of ESRα in the development and progression of UFs.
Project description:The RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 protein complex (RMN) plays an essential role during the early steps of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination. Previous data suggest that one important role for RMN in DSB repair is to provide a link between DNA ends. The striking architecture of the complex, a globular domain from which two extended coiled coils protrude, is essential for this function. Due to its DNA-binding activity, ability to form dimers and interact with both RAD50 and NBS1, MRE11 is considered to be crucial for formation and function of RMN. Here, we show the successful expression and purification of a stable complex containing only RAD50 and NBS1 (RN). The characteristic architecture of the complex was not affected by absence of MRE11. Although MRE11 is a DNA-binding protein it was not required for DNA binding per se or DNA-tethering activity of the complex. The stoichiometry of NBS1 in RMN and RN complexes was estimated by SFM-based volume analysis. These data show that in vitro, R, M and N form a variety of stable complexes with variable subunit composition and stoichiometry, which may be physiologically relevant in different aspects of RMN function.
Project description:Up to 86% of uterine leiomyomas harbour somatic mutations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12). These mutations have been associated with conventional histology, smaller tumour size, and larger number of tumours within the uterus. Prior studies, with limited sample sizes, have failed to detect associations between other clinical features and MED12 mutations. Here, we prospectively collected 763 uterine leiomyomas and the corresponding normal myometrial tissue from 244 hysterectomy patients, recorded tumour characteristics, collected clinical data from medical records, and screened the tissue samples for MED12 mutations to assess potential associations between clinical variables and mutation status. Out of 763 leiomyomas, 599 (79%) harboured a MED12 mutation. In the analysis of tumour characteristics, positive MED12-mutation status was significantly associated with smaller tumour size, conventional histology, and subserous location, relative to intramural. In the analysis of clinical variables, the number of MED12-mutation-positive tumours showed an inverse association with parity, and the number of mutation-negative tumours showed a positive association with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. This study confirmed the previously reported differences and discovered novel differentiating features for MED12-mutation-positive and -negative leiomyomas. These findings emphasise the relevance of specific driver mutations in genesis and presentation of uterine leiomyomas.
Project description:The distribution of oestrogen-induced peroxidase in the resuspended 8000g pellet of rat uterine homogenates was examined by centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient. Within 10h of treatment with oestradiol, peroxidase activity was found in a region devoid of catalase or urate oxidase (peroxisomal markers) which did not overlap the fractions containing succinate dehydrogenase (mitochondrial marker) or acid phosphatase (lysosomal marker). The induced uterine enzyme was localized in reticular membrane-bound vesicles with isopycnic density of 1.28g/ml from which it could be released by treatment with detergent.