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C Y Young

Publications and source records attributed to C Y Young.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Monoclonal antibodies against the androgen receptor: recognition of human and other mammalian androgen receptors.

Monoclonal antibodies against the androgen receptor (AR) will provide useful probes for elucidating both the structure and function of this important regulatory protein. Recently, human autoimmune anti-AR sera have been described. The purpose of the current work was to immortalize lymphocytes from the blood of patients with high titer anti-AR antibodies and to produce monoclonal antibodies against the receptor in vitro. Human serum samples (10 microliters) were incubated in high ionic strength buffer (400 mM KCl) for 16 h at 0 C with [3H]Mibolerone-labeled cytosol (100-200 fmol AR) from Dunning tumors. Receptor-antibody complexes were precipitated with goat antihuman immunoglobulin (Ig) antibody. From our 1005 serum samples examined, 5 specimens were detected which precipitated greater than 40% of the AR. These antibodies recognized the AR from human, rat, mouse, dog, steer, chicken, and hamster, but did not recognize estrogen, progesterone, or glucocorticoid receptors. By sucrose gradient analysis in high salt (0.4 M KCl) 1 of the antisera shifted the 4.4S monomeric receptor to 8S, and the others shifted the receptor to 18S. However, all of the antibodies were shown to be IgG class by immunoprecipitation with class-specific second antibodies. Peripheral blood lymphocytes donated by these patients were isolated by histopaque density gradient sedimentation, activated in vitro, transformed with Epstein-Barr virus, and seeded into 96-well plates. From 263 million human lymphocytes plated in 96-well dishes, 1215 wells gave rise to Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cells, and 8 of these wells were determined to be anti-AR positive. Cells from 2 of the positive wells were cloned and designated CB54 and UA67, both of which secreted IgG class antibodies against the AR. These 2 monoclonal antibodies have been shown to be highly specific for the AR and to cross-react with the AR from human, rat, and hamster. Studies with the monomeric form of the AR and its proteolytic fragment using sucrose density gradients have suggested that the 2 antibodies recognize different epitopes on the monomeric AR molecule. Furthermore, by Western blot analysis the antibodies have identified the AR as an 118K protein on a sodium dodecyl sulfate gel, which is consistent with our previous findings of the mol wt of the AR.

Animals↗

A common molecular weight of the androgen receptor monomer in different target tissues.

Previously reported molecular weights for the monomeric steroid binding subunit of the androgen receptor protein have ranged from 25,000 to 167,000. The molecular weight appeared to vary among different species and target organs, as well as between different investigators. This study has examined androgen receptors from a diverse group of organs and species to determine whether these tissues share a common monomeric form. Gel filtration revealed peaks of specific [3H]dihydrotestosterone binding activity corresponding to Stokes radii of 54, 33, and 20 A in cytosols from several tissues. Phosphocellulose chromatography diminished the appearance of the smaller androgen receptor forms and facilitated the appearance of the larger 54-A form. Mixing experiments suggested that phosphocellulose was stabilizing the 54-A form by binding putative proteases which cleave this larger form. Methods were developed to generate homogenous preparations of a given androgen receptor size for comparative study. Sucrose density gradient analysis showed sedimentation coefficients of 4.5-5.0, 3.5-4.0, and 2.5-3.0 S, respectively. The corresponding calculated molecular weights were 109,000-121,000, 52,000-59,000, and 22,000-27,000. Scatchard analysis of each of these androgen receptor forms demonstrated very similar affinity for [3H]dihydrotestosterone (Kd approximately 1 nM), and each form possessed the ability to bind to DNA-cellulose. Extensively purified preparations of androgen receptor from R3327 tumor contained varying amounts of the three receptor forms even though molybdate and phosphocellulose were used to stabilize the androgen receptor protein during purification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Properties of an intermediate-sized androgen receptor: association with RNA.

This study identifies an intermediate-sized androgen receptor and characterizes its relationship with the 9.1S and 4.4S receptor forms. Under low ionic conditions, at 2-4 degrees C, there exists a 9.1S (+/- 0.17) (n = 30) oligomeric form which does not bind to DNA. Under high ionic conditions, this form dissociates to a 4.4S (+/- 0.08) (n = 18) monomeric form. When the salt concentration is lowered, the 4.4S monomer converts to a species with an intermediate sedimentation coefficient of 7.7S (+/- 0.15) (n = 17) which binds to DNA. Unlike the 9.1S oligomer the 7.7S form is not maintained by sodium molybdate under high ionic conditions but rather dissociates to the 4.4S monomer. To determine whether these forms were associated with RNA, the 7.7S form was incubated with RNase A and analyzed by density gradient centrifugation. The 7.7S form was digested fully by RNase to the 4.4S monomer. The 7.7S form demonstrated a buoyant density of 1.2459 +/- 0.014 g/cm3 (n = 6) in metrizamide gradients, suggesting a ribonucleoprotein component. The sedimentation coefficient of the 9.1S form was unaffected by RNase. These data suggest that the intermediate 7.7S receptor form is composed of 4.4S monomer associated with a ribonucleoprotein molecule(s).

Animals↗

Characterization of steroid receptors in human prostate using mibolerone.

Accurate quantitation of androgen receptors requires a radioactive ligand which has affinity and specificity for the receptor and which is stable to metabolic enzymes. In this report, we have characterized the properties of 7 alpha,17 alpha-dimethyl-17 beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one (mibolerone) in human benign hyperplastic prostate cytosol and compared them to those of 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-estra-4,9,11-trien-3-one (R1881). Mibolerone was found to have an affinity (Kd = 1.5 nM) greater than R1881. (Kd = 2.3 nM) for the androgen receptor in human prostate tissue. Surprisingly, mibolerone was found to bind with high affinity to the progesterone receptor in both human prostate (Kd = 5.9 nM) and rabbit uterus (Kd = 1.1 nM). However, binding to this receptor in both species could be blocked with a 500-fold excess of triamcinolone acetonide. [3H]Mibolerone binding to the androgen receptor was competed effectively with unlabeled dihydrotestosterone, R1881, and mibolerone but not by progesterone, diethylstilbestrol or R5020, in the presence of triamcinolone acetonide. Interestingly, mibolerone was more resistant to metabolism than R1881 in prostate cytosol when exposed to elevated temperatures (30 degrees C) for extended periods of time. However, when exposed to high-intensity ultraviolet irradiation, both compounds lost 50% of their binding ability in about 30 minutes. Mibolerone was found to have a very low affinity (Ki = 540 nM) for human sex steroid binding protein. These studies demonstrate that mibolerone is a useful ligand for androgen receptor assays. They also emphasize the need for including competitors of progesterone receptor binding in assays utilizing this steroid for androgen receptor measurements.

Animals↗

Kininogenase activity of prostate-derived human glandular kallikrein (hK2) purified from seminal fluid.

Prostate-specific human glandular kallikrein (hK2) is an active enzyme in human seminal fluid. It is one of three serine proteases in the human kallikrein gene family, which includes hK1 (tissue kallikrein) and hK3 (prostate-specific antigen [PSA]). In order to examine kininogenase activity (i.e., production of kinin by these enzymes), we tested for bradykinin and/or Lys-bradykinin release upon incubation of hK2 and for other kallikreins with high-molecular weight kininogen (HMWK), which contains the nonapeptide bradykinin. Kinins are important regulatory peptides (especially for vascular permeability), and they may have a role in enhancing sperm motility. High-molecular weight kininogen is the substrate for plasma kallikrein (PKa potent kinin-generating enzyme circulating in blood, not of the same gene family) and for hK1. Glandular kallikrein and protein-C inhibitor (PCI)-hK2 complex, a serpin protease inhibitor that binds hK2, were purified to homogeneity by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. About one-half of the hK2 is found in complex with PCI. The kallikrein enzymes were incubated with HMWK, and the resulting cleavage products were analyzed for kinin activity using enzyme immunoassay, high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and in vitro bioassay. Our results show that hK2 cleaves HMWK to produce bradykinin, not Lys-bradykinin (like hK1), and the resultant heavy (56-kDa) and light (42-kDa) chains of HMWK show similar electrophoretic mobility to those cleaved by PK. Prostate-specific antigen (hK3) had no kinin-generating activity. We also identified three other internal cleavage sites for hK2 in HMWK (Arg427, Arg437, and Arg457) that yielded two peptides, one of which is identical to a PK-cleaved peptide. Glandular kallikrein is about 500-fold less active than is PK or tissue kallikrein, but it may play a physiologically important role in bradykinin release in seminal fluid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Androgen-Dependent transcriptional regulation of the prostate-specific antigen gene by thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most useful biomarker for human prostate cancer and may play a role in prostate tumor biology. Androgens, via their receptors, are the major positive regulators of PSA expression. Recently, we showed that thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T3) also increases androgen-dependent PSA expression, even though androgen receptor expression is not affected. This report demonstrates for the first time that there is a functional T3-responsive element (TRE) in the 5'-promoter region of the PSA gene. Mutation of this TRE reduced the T3-enhanced androgenic activation of the PSA promoter. Our study provides direct evidence that the PSA gene is regulated by T3 at the transcriptional level.

Androgens↗

Expression and androgenic regulation of human prostate-specific kallikreins.

In vitro studies suggest that the protease activity of PSA might play a functional role to facilitate the growth and spreading of cancerous prostatic cells. hK2 may have similar properties. Further investigation to prove their in vivo effects is required. Regulation of PSA and hKLK2 gene expression is mediated not only by androgens, but also by a number of autocrine and paracrine factors, suggesting that the control mechanisms for expression of these genes are complex and multifaceted. Such factors may also be integral for the growth and differentiation of prostate cells. Thus PSA and hKLK2 may serve as useful markers to study the regulation of gene expression during cell growth and differentiation of the prostate.

Androgens↗

Identification of human glandular kallikrein hK2 from LNCaP cells.

Based on studies indicating that human glandular kallikrein (hK2) mRNA is present in the prostate, we prepared a monoclonal antibody to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 41-56 region of hK2 to try to identify the hK2 protein. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and hK2 share 80% homology, the 41-56 amino acid sequence of hK2 is only 50% homologous with PSA. A monoclonal antibody, HK1A523, was identified that demonstrates high specificity for hK2. In western blot analysis, the antibody has a 1,000-fold greater sensitivity for the detection of hK2 than for PSA. The antibody was used to probe spent media from the prostate carcinoma cell line, LNCaP. An immunoreactive species was N-terminally sequenced and identified as mature hK2. HK1A523 was also utilized to probe prostate tumor cytosols and seminal fluid where putative forms of hK2 were also identified. The hK2 protein therefore is expressed and secreted from prostate carcinoma cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗