What is vitamin D deficiency?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M R Walters.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Possible differences in 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] binding sites in classical and nonclassical target tissues were tested by Scatchard analysis of [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 binding in parallel chromatin preparations of rat kidney vs. testis. Two distinct binding components were resolved in kidney (p less than 0.005). Moreover, the single binding site in testis exhibited a 10-fold lower Kd (p less than 0.05) than did the principal binding site in kidney (50 +/- 4 vs. 405 +/- 142 pM). Secondly, regulation of [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites also differed. 1,25(OH)2D3 injection resulted in increased 1,25(OH)2D3 binding (p less than 0.05) in kidney (92%) and intestine (415%), but not in testis, lung or heart. These results suggest that the principal 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites in classical targets kidney and intestine may be intrinsically different from those in at least some nonclassical targets.
Despite numerous attempts, no reliable dietary regimen exists to achieve vitamin D deficiency (-D) in rats without attendant changes in plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca, or phosphate. This represents an important obstacle to proper investigations of the physiologic role(s) of vitamin D metabolites in the function of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] target tissues. This paper describes the successful development of such a diet, which uses a combination of high Ca content, properly controlled Ca/P ratio, and lactose. Normal weanling rats were fed diets containing A, 0.8% Ca, 0.5% P, +D3, or -D diets containing B, 0.8% Ca and 0.5% P; C, 2.0% Ca and 1.25% P; or D, 2.0% Ca, 1.25% P, and 20% lactose. After 6 diet weeks group D rats remained normocalcemic and normophosphatemic, but diet groups B and C became hypocalcemic (6.9 +/- 0.8 and 7.2 +/- 0.4 mg/dl, respectively). Thus high dietary Ca and P was incapable of maintaining normal plasma Ca levels in the absence of dietary lactose. The normocalcemia in group D was not maintained by elevated PTH secretion because N-terminal PTH levels were also normal (14 +/- 3 versus 20 +/- 5 pg/ml). In contrast, PTH levels were markedly elevated in hypocalcemic groups B and C (47 +/- 7 and 48 +/- 10 pg/ml, respectively). Plasma 25-OHD3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 levels were reduced to less than 120 and less than 12 pg/ml, respectively, in all -D groups. Thus the high-Ca diet and the use of normal weanlings did not impede the development of vitamin D deficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-hydroxylase (1-hydroxylase) enzyme activity in rats is known to be increased by parathyroid hormone (PTH), hypophosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. Thus, enzyme activity is markedly increased in vitamin D-deficient states, but whether this stimulation is a direct response to the vitamin D deficiency or only occurs following the associated changes in plasma calcium, phosphate, or PTH is unclear. We tested whether vitamin D deficiency per se influences 1-hydroxylase activity in renal cortical slices using a normocalcemic rat model of vitamin D deficiency. Weanling male rats were fed one of the following three diets: (A) 0.8% Ca, 0.5% P, 2.2 IU vitamin D3/g; or vitamin D-deficient diets containing, (B) 0.8% Ca, 0.5% P; and (C) 2.0% Ca, 1.25% P, 20% lactose. Vitamin D-deficient rats fed diet B were hypocalcemic with elevated PTH at both test periods, and 1-hydroxylase activity was increased more than 100-fold compared with rats fed diet A. Plasma calcium, phosphate, and PTH levels were the same in groups A and C, but 1-hydroxylase activity was also substantially elevated in group C versus group A rats (104- and 17-fold increases after 10 and 19 diet weeks, respectively). These data lead to the important conclusion that severe deficiency of vitamin D metabolites per se provides a strong and independent stimulus to renal 1-hydroxylase activity in rats, perhaps due to the absence of 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated enzyme inhibition.
The hypocalcemia that accompanies vitamin D deficiency is a major obstacle to proper interpretation of the role(s) of vitamin D metabolites in Ca-sensitive tissues. This paper describes the development and complete characterization of a dietary regimen with which normocalcemia was maintained in rats throughout the development of vitamin D deficiency. Normal weanling rats were fed diets containing 0.8% Ca, 0.5% P, and vitamin D3 (group A), or vitamin D-deficient diets containing 0.8% Ca and 0.5% P (group B); 2.0% Ca and 1.25% P (group C); or 2.0% Ca, 1.25% P, and 20% lactose (group D) for 19 wk. Group D rats were normocalcemic and normophosphatemic with normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels throughout the study. In contrast, from 4-19 diet wk, groups B and C were hypocalcemic with elevated PTH. Initially, plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels decreased most rapidly, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] levels decreased least rapidly in group B rats, such that plasma 25(OH)D3 levels were reduced to 200-300 pg/ml before a decrease in 1,25(OH)2D3 levels was observed. However, vitamin D metabolite levels were similar in groups B, C, and D from 4-19 wk. Duodenal active Ca transport mirrored changes in plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 levels and was abolished after 10 wk. The results also suggested that vitamin D may not be necessary for normal bone mineralization since tibia mineral content and plasma alkaline phosphatase levels were similar in normocalcemic groups A and D throughout the study.
The presence and regulation of Ca-binding proteins (CaBPs) were investigated in newly identified 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] target tissues. 45Ca(2+)-blot analysis of proteins in normal rats yielded a 45Ca2+ band comigrating with authentic calmodulin. Additionally, a parvalbumin-like band (mol mass = 15.4 +/- 0.3 kDa) was prominent in prostate, and a strong unidentified 45Ca2+ band was always evident in the testis (mol mass = 23.5 +/- 0.7 kDa). Lung, bladder, and especially prostate demonstrated 45Ca2+ bands comigrating with the intestinal vitamin D-related CaBP (CaBP-D9K; mol mass = 10.9 +/- 0.5 kDa). Most tissues (including testis, heart, and lung) exhibited low levels of a 45Ca2+ band comigrating with the renal CaBP-D28K (mol mass = 28.3 +/- 0.4 kDa). Importantly, 45Ca2+ binding to all detectable CaBPs was unchanged in these four tissues in vitamin D-deficient rats, despite substantial downregulation of the intestinal CaBP-D9K and renal CaBP-D28K. Neither immunoblot analysis (rabbit anti-rat renal CaBP-D28K) nor Northern analysis (rat brain CaBP-D28K cDNA) provided evidence for coidentity of the 28-kDa 45Ca2+ band with the CaBP-D28K. Conversely, immunoblot analysis of lung, but not prostate, cytosol provided evidence for specific immunocross-reactivity to rabbit anti-rat intestinal CaBP-D9K. Immunoblot analysis of the 9-kDa CaBP in lung further confirmed its vitamin D independence. In conclusion, the vitamin D independence of the CaBPs in these putative new 1,25(OH)2D3 targets suggests the absence of an obligatory relationship between 1,25(OH)2D3 effects and CaBP induction therein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] receptors exist in numerous unexpected tissues. These include, for example, rat lung, heart, testis, and uterus, but not prostate and bladder. The issues of 1,25(OH)2D effects on and receptor location in the testis were addressed by (a) physiological and pharmacological manipulations of tubule cell types and (b) histological examination of testes of vitamin D-deficient rats. FSH treatment in hypophysectomized adult rats increased 1,25(OH)2D receptor levels by 135% (P less than 0.01). Busulfan treatment reduced testis receptor levels by 35% (P less than 0.05) after 35 days (maximum effect), and the effect was reversed after recovery (85 d). Cryptorchidism for 5 or 50 days resulted in modest (33%, P less than 0.05) or substantial (79%, P less than 0.001) reductions in receptor levels. Only the FSH treatment and 50 days cryptorchidism reduced receptor levels in the residual tissue. The testes of vit. D-deficient rats showed incomplete spermatogenesis and degenerative changes. Although interpretation is complicated by the intricate communication among testis cell types, these data suggest that the Sertoli cell is a primary site of action of 1,25(OH)2D in the testis. Moreover, these data indicate that 1,25(OH)2D receptor function in the testis relates to germ cell division/maturation, although this may be an indirect effect via the Sertoli cells.
Molybdate (Mo), EGTA, or protease inhibitors substantially increase detectable rat uterine progesterone (Pg) receptors. Rehomogenization experiments demonstrated that receptor levels decreased in the absence of Mo or protease inhibitors and were not regenerated. Thus Mo prevents an EGTA and protease-inhibitor-sensitive loss of uterine Pg receptors during homogenization. This effect was compared with receptor stabilization at elevated temperature. In contrast to the stability of receptors in the presence of Mo, receptors decreased rapidly to minimal levels by 30 min at 30 degrees C in TESHG (10 mM Tris, 1.5 mM EGTA, 12 mM thioglycerol, 10% glycerol) or TG buffers. The ability of EGTA to mimic receptor stabilization by Mo during homogenization, compared with its ineffectiveness at 30 degrees C, suggested fundamentally different mechanisms for these two phenomena. Similarly, 0.3 M KCl prevented Mo stabilization of the receptors at 30 degrees C, but did not change their recovery after homogenization. Results with protease inhibitors were also consistent: addition of 2-5 mM leupeptin and 500 microM PMSF to TG during homogenization resulted in substantially increased (P less than 0.01) receptor recovery, but leupeptin (+/- the temperature-labile PMSF) did not prevent the Pg receptor losses at 30 degrees C. The transformation state of the receptors may be important, since receptors were untransformed in the presence of either EGTA or Mo. Moreover, KCl transformed the receptors in parallel to their instability at 30 degrees C. In conclusion, Mo stabilizes Pg receptors during temperature elevation by a different mechanism from that involved during homogenization. Although the parallel effects by EGTA, molybdate, and the protease-inhibitors during homogenization is consistent with inhibition of Ca2+-dependent proteolysis, other possible mechanisms must be considered in future studies.
This study tested the hypothesis that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) and its previously described cardiac receptors play roles in regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis in cardiac muscle cells. This question was addressed by assessing whether 1,25-(OH)2D3 influences 45Ca2+ uptake by homogeneous cultures of adult rat ventricular cardiac muscle cells. Twenty-four h prior to the measurement of 45Ca2+ uptake, the cells were transferred to serum-free medium ([Ca2+], 1.0 mM) containing 1.0 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle. The cells were then incubated with 45Ca2+ for periods up to 60 min at room temperature, followed by removal of excess external 45Ca2+ by washing repeatedly with La3+. Pretreating the cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused 3-fold stimulation (p less than 0.005) of 45Ca2+ uptake. Stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake required a prolonged (8-12 h) exposure to 1,25-(OH)2D3, suggesting a receptor-mediated phenomenon. Concentrations of 0.01-10 nM 1,25-(OH)2D3 yielded a dose-response curve which peaked at 1.0 nM and decreased at higher concentrations. Steroid specificity was established by the failure of 1.0 nM levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, estradiol-17 beta, and progesterone to change 45Ca2+ uptake. Sucrose gradient analysis confirmed the presence of a specific 3-4 S 3H-1,25-(OH)2D3 binding component both in freshly isolated and in cultured ventricular cardiac muscle cells. The stimulatory effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on 45Ca2+ uptake was abolished by the concomitant incubation of the cells with cycloheximide or actinomycin D, demonstrating a requirement for protein and nucleic acid synthesis. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates 45Ca2+ uptake in adult ventricular cardiac muscle cells by a mechanism resembling a receptor-mediated phenomenon.
The hormone-binding components of the rat uterine progesterone receptor were investigated by the methods of [3H]R5020 photoaffinity labeling and sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. Two specifically labeled peaks were observed at mol wt of 85,600 +/- 1,200 and 109,600 +/- 1,200 (n = 31), resembling the A and B progesterone receptor components previously described in other systems. However, in contrast to the equimolar ratio reported in other systems, the level of subunit A observed was consistently greater than that of B (A/B ratio = 3.2 +/- 0.3; n = 31). The unusual A/B ratio prompted a complete validation of the photolabeling procedure in this system. Although the levels of specific binding increased, there was no change in the A/B ratio with varying [3H]R5020 concentrations (5-80 nM) or with time of UV exposure (0.5 min to 3 h). Although adsorption to hydroxylapatite indicated that specific [3H]R5020 binding was reduced by 72.0 +/- 6.4% within 5 min of UV exposure, relabeling the irradiated preparations with [3H]R5020 resulted in little change in specific [3H]R5020 binding. TLC analysis of [3H]R5020 (Rf = 0.48 +/- 0.01; n = 4) after irradiation demonstrated rapid photolysis resulting in a 94.3 +/- 2.5% (n = 3) loss of authentic [3H]R5020 within 5 min. After photolysis, at least two new tritiated products were recovered with Rf values of 0.20 +/- 0.03 and 0.72 +/- 0.02. Analysis by adsorption to hydroxylapatite indicated that the photolysis products competed for specific [3H]R5020-binding sites in cytosol with only 10-fold lower relative binding activity than authentic R5020. Thus, these compounds probably account for the increase in specific photolabeling of the A and B peaks achieved when UV exposure is prolonged from 5 to 30 min. Further study indicated that the A/B subunit ratio in this system was not changed under a variety of in vitro conditions, including the absence or presence of molybdate, sulfhydryl protective reagents (dithiothreitol and thioglycerol), protease inhibitors (phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride and leupeptin), glycerol (0%, 10%, and 30%, vol/vol), or 1.5 mM EGTA, or after precipitation with 40% ammonium sulfate. This consistency of the A/B ratio under a wide variety of adverse in vitro conditions suggests that in vitro artefacts may not account for the ratio's deviation from unity. Estrogen withdrawal (48 h) enhanced by progesterone treatment (0.5 mg for 24 h) resulted in only a modest reduction in the A/B ratio to 1.9 +/- 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Specific receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the active hormonal form of vitamin D3, were demonstrated in low salt chromatin preparations from normal rat hearts. Sucrose gradient analysis of KCl-extracted chromatin yielded a significant (P less than 0.005) peak of specific [3H]1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding in the 3.6S region. The peak of [3H]1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding was abolished by excess 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, but not by 50 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 nor by 1.0 microM levels of estradiol-17B, cortisol, or promegestone, demonstrating steroid specificity characteristic for such receptors. Upon Scatchard analysis this putative cardiac 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor yielded a single binding component with high affinity (KD = 0.36 nM) and low capacity (Nmax = 33 fmol/g tissue). Coupled with evidence for the presence of calcium binding proteins in this tissue, these observations suggest functional roles for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its receptors in cardiac muscle, possibly in regulating intracellular effects of calcium.
Agent Orange exposure and its long-term health consequences on Vietnam veterans have been widely discussed in the past few years. Myriad physical and mental disabilities have been studied with regard to exposure to various herbicides. The number of persons potentially exposed is large, since 2.4-2.8 million U.S. military personnel served in Vietnam. A case-control study was undertaken to determine if persons who served in the U.S. military in Vietnam have either cardiovascular or pulmonary effects that can be demonstrated on long-term follow-up chest radiographs. Information regarding military service in Vietnam was obtained from interviews and, in some cases, review of military records. Vietnam veterans did not have an increased prevalence of abnormalities on follow-up chest radiographs. A subset of Vietnam veterans who had greater estimated opportunities for Agent Orange exposure also did not appear to be at greater risk than the control population.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Whether 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] receptor levels correlate with the rapid in vivo growth rate of the testes in the prepubertal rat was examined. Low salt chromatin-localized 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors were compared in the testes and intestinal mucosa (control) of prepubertal, peripubertal, and mature rats (37, 49, and 90 days old, respectively). The number of 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors per g wet wt was significantly (P less than 0.02) reduced in the testes of the prepubertal rats compared to those in the peripubertal and mature groups. Conversely, no changes were observed in the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor levels in the control tissue intestinal mucosa among these age groups. Further experiments confirmed the identity of the testicular 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors. The specific [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3-binding component was predominantly localized in the nuclei/chromatin fraction in hypotonic buffers. Scatchard analysis of [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 binding to the testicular chromatin of adult rats yielded a single specific binding component with a Kd of 0.33 +/- 0.06 nM and a Nmax of 102.3 +/- 6.4 fmol/g tissue (n = 6), which was inhibited by excess 1,25-(OH)2D3, but only minimally by 50 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Sucrose gradient analysis required hydroxylapatite treatment of fractions after centrifugation to remove free 3H-labeled steroid. With this modification, a discrete 3.6S peak of [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 was unmasked, which was eliminated by excess 1,25-(OH)2D3, but not by 50 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or 1 microM cortisol, or the progesterone analog promegestone. In spite of its seemingly ubiquitous distribution, the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor does exhibit tissue specificity, since it appears to be absent in the prostate and, at best, greatly reduced in the epididymis. The cellular localization of the testicular 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors was examined by mechanically separating interstitial cells (93.7% of the total [125I]hCG binding) from the tubules. Under these conditions, 91.3% of the specific [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 binding occurred in the tubular chromatin preparation. Thus, these data provide evidence for the presence of a specific 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor in the seminiferous tubules of the rat testis. Moreover, the temporal correlation of increased 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor levels with testicular maturation suggests a better correlation to testicular function and spermatogenesis than to growth of the organ in vivo.
We describe herein two different effects of protease inhibitors and substrates on receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) obtained from the intestinal mucosa of vitamin D-deficient chicks: inhibition of binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to its receptor and stabilization of the receptor. Both L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), a chymotrypsin inhibitor, and N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), a trypsin inhibitor, block [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 binding to the receptor. Fifty per cent inhibition of binding occurs at 20 microM TPCK, and 100% inhibition at 100-200 microM; TLCK is about 25-fold less effective. At higher concentrations (10-100 mM), the chymotrypsin substrates N alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester and tryptophan methyl ester and the cathepsin B inhibitor leupeptin also inhibit [3H] 1,25(OH)2D3 binding to its receptor. Different inhibitors and substrates interact with the receptor differently: TPCK (20 microM) and N alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mM) are reversible, noncompetitive inhibitors, L-tryptophan methyl ester (20 mM) is a reversible competitive inhibitor, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (300 microM) shows no effect on [3H]1,25(OH)2D3 binding to its receptor. The most stable form of unoccupied 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors from chick intestinal mucosa was that obtained from a low salt chromatin preparation (t 1/2 = 6.0 h). The presence of KCl drastically decreased receptor stability (t 1/2 = 1.8 h); and the addition of 2.5 mM CaCl2 further reduced their stability. Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and Trasylol inhibited the KCl-induced receptor instability, but did not prevent the additional instability in the presence of CaCl2. In summary, TPCK and TLCK exert direct effects on the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor molecule, independent of their protease inhibitor function. These compounds may prove useful as covalent affinity labels for the receptor. On the other hand, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and Trasylol stabilize 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors, probably via inhibition of KCl-activated nuclear protease(s). This receptor stabilization will be advantageous in receptor assays and/or purification procedures.
The data presented herein indicate that the chick intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) receptor which is localized in the chromatin fraction of a low salt homogenate (Walters, M. R., Hunziker, W., and Norman, A. W. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6799-6805) can exist in three distinct biochemical forms. The three 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor forms depended on the absence or presence of ligand and additionally whether the ligand was acquired in vitro (4 degrees C incubation for 3-4 h) or in vivo (13 nmol of 1,25(OH)2D3 administered intramuscularly 2 h prior to sacrifice). The receptor forms were distinguished by their relative KCl extractabilities from the target tissue chromatin preparation and from a reconstituted nontarget tissue (liver) chromatin preparation, as well as their relative elution from DNA-cellulose columns when applied as a mixture. In all cases the rank order "affinity" of the receptor for chromatin or DNA was: unoccupied 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors less than in vivo occupied receptors less than in vitro occupied receptors. These changes in DNA-binding "affinity" occurred without a major change in overall surface charge of the receptor molecules as evaluated by co-elution of all three receptor forms from DEAE-Sepharose columns. Similarly, these changes in DNA-binding characteristics were not accompanied by changes in the apparent molecular weights of these receptor species (91,900 +/- 3300; 99,700 +/- 9400; 93,100 +/- 5600, respectively) as assessed by Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography in the presence of the protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, included throughout these experiments to protect from proteolytic damage. These results represent the first demonstration of biochemical heterogeneity in the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor system and suggest the existence of a two-step transformation process for the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A method was developed for quantitative recovery of the labile rat uterine progesterone receptor hormone-binding components. Initial conditions were established by the sucrose gradient procedure. Upon centrifugation through low-salt 5-20% sucrose gradients prepared in 10% glycerol, the well-known 6-8 S progesterone receptor components were observed either when cytosol was prelabeled with [3H]17,21-dimethyl-19-nor-4,9-pregnadiene-3,20-dione [( 3H]R5020) or when prelabeled with [3H]progesterone followed by postlabeling the fractions collected after centrifugation with either [3H]progesterone or [3H]R5020. Recovery of progesterone receptor binding was improved by prelabeling with [3H]R5020, by adding 1.5 mM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethylether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) to all buffers, and at high tissue concentrations. Under these conditions quantitative conversion of the receptor to specific [3H]R5020-binding 4S components was achieved with 150 or 400 mM KCl. Similar conditions proved unsuitable for receptor analysis by gel filtration (Bio-Rad agarose A0.5M or A1.5M), apparently due to [3H]R5020 dissociation from the receptor in the large volume of elution buffer. However, excellent receptor recovery (97.2 +/- 6.7%) was achieved by including 10 nM unlabeled progesterone in all preparation and elution buffers. Receptors were then detected by the addition of 5 nM [3H]R5020 to the column fractions, exchange incubation for 3-6 h at 4 degrees C, and subsequent separation of bound and free steroid by the hydroxyapatite assay. This method resulted in a consistent elution pattern suggestive of receptor heterogeneity. Identity of the peak(s) as progesterone receptor components(s) was confirmed by the lack of competition by 2 microM cortisol when added either to cytosol or during the postlabeling-exchange process. Neither the qualitative nor quantitative results of the column profiles were changed substantially in the presence of 20 mM molybdate. Although the receptor structure has yet to be established, both statistical analysis of the column profiles by computer curve-fitting procedures and rechromatography of peak fractions suggested that the rat uterine progesterone receptor may be composed of multiple components. This ligand-stabilization/postlabeling-exchange procedure provides a method for further studies of progesterone receptor biochemistry in mammalian systems. Additionally, similar procedures may stabilize other labile ligand-binding proteins for biochemical analyses and/or purification.