Secretory expression, purification and functional characterization of 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 from mammalian HEK293T cells.

17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17ß-HSD1) mainly catalyzes the reduction of estrone into estradiol. The enzymatic conversion is a critical step in estradiol accumulation in breast tissue, which is a valuable prognosis index of breast cancer disease. However, the source of 17ß-HSD1 for inhibitor design is limited. In this study, the fragment encoding human 17ß-HSD1 was successfully cloned and expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T mammalian cells. The recombinant protein was purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography yielding above 17 mg of purified 17ß-HSD1 protein per liter of cell culture, with a specific activity of 8.54 µmoL/min/mg of protein for conversion of estradiol into estrone, with NAD+ as cofactor at pH 9.2. Enzyme characterization studies revealed that the protein has estrogenic activity and the Km value for estrone is about 20 nM. The recombinant protein purified from transfected HEK293T cells had higher specific activity compared to that of the enzyme purified directly from placenta. The present data show that the mammalian cell expression system can provide active 17ß-HSD1 which is functionally identical to its natural counterpart and easy to purify in qualities suitable for its structure-function study.

Substrate inhibition of 17ß-HSD1 in living cells and regulation of 17ß-HSD7 by 17ß-HSD1 knockdown.

This study addresses first the role of human 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17ß-HSD1) in breast cancer (BC) cells. The enzyme has a high estrone-activating activity that is subject to strong substrate inhibition as shown by enzyme kinetics at the molecular level. We used BC cells to verify this phenomenon in living cells: estrone concentration increase did reduce the reaction with 0.025 to 4µM substrate. Moreover, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) demonstrated some inhibition of estrogen activation at both the molecular and cellular levels. The presence of DHT did not change the tendency toward substrate inhibition for estrone conversion, but shifted the inhibition toward higher substrate concentrations. Moreover, a binding study demonstrated that both DHT and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be bound to the enzyme, thereby supporting the multi-specificity of 17ß-HSD1. We then followed the concentrations of estradiol and performed q-RT-PCR measurements of reductive 17ß-HSDs after 17ß-HSD1 inhibition. The estradiol decrease by the 17ß-HSD1 inhibition was demonstrated lending support to this observation. Knockdown and inhibition of 17ß-HSD1 produced reduction in estradiol levels and the down-regulation of another reductive enzyme 17ß-HSD7, thus "amplifying" the reduction of estradiol by the 17ß-HSD1 modulation itself. The critical positioning of 17ß-HSD7 in sex-hormone-regulation as well as the mutual regulation of steroid enzymes via estradiol in BC, are clearly demonstrated. Our study demonstrates that fundamental enzymological mechanisms are relevant in living cells. Moreover, further enzyme study in cells is merited to advance biological and medical research. We also demonstrated the central role of 17ß-HSD7 in sex-hormone conversion and regulation, supporting it as a novel target for estrogen-dependent (ER+) BC.

Biochemical and biological evaluation of novel potent coumarin inhibitor of 17ß-HSD type 1.

Human 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD) type 1 is an enzyme that acts at the pre-receptor level. It catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of the weak estrogen estrone into the most potent estrogen 17ß-estradiol, which exerts proliferative effects via estrogen receptors. Overexpression of 17ß-HSD type 1 in estrogen-responsive tissues is related to the development of hormone-dependent diseases, such as breast cancer and endometriosis. 17ß-HSD type 1 thus represents an attractive target for development of new drugs. Recently, we discovered that substituted coumarin derivatives potently and selectively inhibit 17ß-HSD type 1. In the present study, we have performed additional biochemical and biological evaluation of the most promising coumarin derivative. First, we used an efficient method for isolation and purification of the active, soluble recombinant human 17ß-HSD type 1 from Escherichia coli. This 17ß-HSD type 1 showed a specific activity of 0.64±0.08 µmol min(-1) mg(-1) for estrone reduction in the presence of NADPH at pH 6.5, and a K(m) of 62 nM for estrone. Next, we evaluated the best of the coumarin-derivative inhibitors, showing its reversible and competitive inhibition of 17ß-HSD type 1 reductive activity with a K(i) of 53 nM. We confirmed that this coumarin inhibitor acts not only in a cell-free assay, but also decreases endogenous 17ß-HSD type 1 activity in human T-47D breast cancer cells. This inhibitor also reduced estrone dependent growth of T-47D cells after 48 h of incubation.

Purification, reconstitution, and steady-state kinetics of the trans-membrane 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2.

Human membrane 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 is an enzyme essential in the conversion of the highly active 17beta-hydroxysteroids into their inactive keto forms in a variety of tissues. 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 with 6 consecutive histidines at its N terminus was expressed in Sf9 insect cells. This recombinant protein retained its biological activity and facilitated the enzyme purification and provided the most suitable form in our studies. Dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside was found to be the best detergent for the solubilization, purification, and reconstitution of this enzyme. The overexpressed integral membrane protein was purified with a high catalytic activity and a purity of more than 90% by nickel-chelated chromatography. For reconstitution, the purified protein was incorporated into dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside-destabilized liposomes prepared from l-alpha-phosphatidylcholine. The detergent was removed by adsorption onto polystyrene beads. The reconstituted enzyme had much higher stability and catalytic activity (2.6 micromol/min/mg of enzyme protein with estradiol) than the detergent-solubilized and purified protein (0.9 micromol/min/mg of enzyme protein with estradiol). The purified and reconstituted protein (with a 2-kDa His tag) was proved to be a homodimer, and its functional molecular mass was calculated to be 90.4 +/- 1.2 kDa based on glycerol gradient analytical ultracentrifugation and chemical cross-linking study. The kinetic studies demonstrated that 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 was an NAD-preferring dehydrogenase with the K(m) of NAD being 110 +/- 10 microM and that of NADP 9600 +/- 100 microM using estradiol as substrate. The kinetic constants using estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone as substrates were also determined.

Unique multifunctional HSD17B4 gene product: 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 and D-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase/hydratase involved in Zellweger syndrome.

Six types of human 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases catalyzing the conversion of estrogens and androgens at position C17 have been identified so far. The peroxisomal 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 4 (17beta-HSD 4, gene name HSD17B4) catalyzes the oxidation of estradiol with high preference over the reduction of estrone. The highest levels of 17beta-HSD 4 mRNA transcription and specific activity are found in liver and kidney followed by ovary and testes. A 3 kb mRNA codes for an 80 kDa (737 amino acids) protein featuring domains which are not present in the other 17beta-HSDs. The N-terminal domain of 17beta-HSD 4 reveals only 25% amino acid similarity with the other types of 17beta-HSDs. The 80 kDa protein is N-terminally cleaved to a 32 kDa enzymatically active fragment. Both the 80 kDa and the N-terminal 32 kDa (amino acids 1-323) protein are able to perform the dehydrogenase reaction not only with steroids at the C17 position but also with D-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A (CoA). The enzyme is not active with L-stereoisomers. The central part of the 80 kDa protein (amino acids 324-596) catalyzes the 2-enoyl-acyl-CoA hydratase reaction with high efficiency. The C-terminal part of the 80 kDa protein (amino acids 597-737) facilitates the transfer of 7-dehydrocholesterol and phosphatidylcholine between membranes in vitro. The HSD17B4 gene is stimulated by progesterone, and ligands of PPARalpha (peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor alpha) such as clofibrate, and is down-regulated by phorbol esters. Mutations in the HSD17B4 lead to a fatal form of Zellweger syndrome.

Characterization of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase IV.

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) IV is coded by 2.9 kb mRNA translated to an 80 kDa protein which is N-terminally cleaved to a 32 kDa enzyme. The 17 beta-HSD IV is dedicated to steroid inactivation and reveals only 25% amino acid similarity with 17 beta-HSD I-III enzymes. Despite five Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr (Xaa = unspecified amino acid) sites in the 80 kDa protein the enzyme is not glycosylated. The porcine 32 kDa 17 beta-HSD IV forms dimers of 75 kDa. The highest 17 beta-HSD IV mRNA expression and specific activities are found in liver and kidney followed by ovary and testes. In porcine gonads the immunofluorescence assigned the 17 beta-HSD IV to granulosa cells and to Leydig and Sertoli cells. As shown by the treatment with phorbol-myristate-acetate in vitamin D-differentiated monocytic leukemia THP1 cells, steroid synthesis and inactivation are regulated differentially by the protein kinase C pathway: an increase in aromatase is accompanied by a decrease in 17 beta-HSD IV mRNA levels.

Molecular cloning of a novel widely expressed human 80 kDa 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase IV.

Reactions of oestrogens and androgens at position C-17 are catalysed by 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17 beta-HSDs). Cloning of the cDNA of a novel human 17 beta-HSD IV and expression of its mRNA are described. A probe derived from the recently discovered porcine 17 beta-oestradiol dehydrogenase (17 beta-EDH) was used to isolate a 2.6 kb human cDNA encoding a continuous protein of 736 amino acids of high (84%) similarity to the porcine 17 beta-EDH. The calculated molecular mass of the human enzyme is 79,595 Da. Other sequence similarities shared by the two enzymes are: an N-terminal sequence which is similar to that of members of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family; amino acids 343-607 which are similar to the C-terminal domains of a trifunctional Candida tropicalis enzyme and the FOX2 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; amino acids 596-736 which are similar to human sterol carrier protein 2. The previously cloned human 17 beta-HSD I, II and III are less than 25% identical with 17 beta-HSD IV. mRNA for HSD IV is a single species of 3.0 kb, present in many tissues with highest concentrations in liver, heart, prostate and testes. When over-expressed in mammalian cells, the human 17 beta-HSD IV enzyme displays a specific unidirectional oxidative 17 beta-HSD activity.

17 Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in human breast tissues: purification and characterization of soluble enzymes and the distribution of particulate and soluble forms in adipose, non-adipose and tumour tissues.

17 Beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) is present in multiple forms in human breast tissue. One soluble form, with a molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa, was purified to near homogeneity from whole normal breast tissue. This form catalysed the oxidation of oestradiol and the reduction of oestrone, with NADP+ and NADPH as the preferred coenzymes. Three other soluble forms with higher molecular weights (in the range 50-80 kDa) were isolated. They catalysed the oxidation of oestradiol but not the reduction of oestrone, and all of them had properties very different from those of the low molecular weight enzyme. Activities of 17 beta-HSD were measured in particulate and soluble fractions from normal breast adipose and non-adipose tissues, and from breast tumours obtained from post-menopausal women, in the oxidative direction with NAD+ and NADP+ as coenzymes and in the reductive direction with NADH and NADPH as coenzymes. Particulate fractions from tumours had much higher oxidative and reductive activities than those from normal tissues. Soluble fractions from tumours had higher oxidative activities than those from the normal tissues but similar reductive activities. The major soluble form of 17 beta-HSD in adipose tissue was the 35 kDa enzyme which had both oxidative and reductive activities. In contrast, the majority of the soluble activity in non-adipose tissue was due to enzymes, with molecular weights in the range 50-80 kDa, which had oxidative activity only. The soluble fractions of tumours, like those of non-adipose tissue, contained enzymes with molecular weights in the range 50-80 kDa. In addition, they contained a 35 kDa enzyme with properties different from those of the enzyme with the same molecular weight present in adipose tissue.

Immunological measurement of human 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Human placental 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-HSD) was purified to apparent homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on Red-Agarose and DEAE-Sepharose columns. Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions and using silver staining showed a single protein with an apparent molecular weight of 37,800. Antibodies to the purified protein were raised in rabbits and were found by immunoblotting to be specific to 17-HSD. A sensitive radioimmunoassay was established using 125I-labeled 17-HSD as a tracer, an appropriate dilution of the antibody, and a kaolin-coupled double antibody for separating the antibody-bound and free fractions. The detection limit of the assay was approximately 150 pg/tube (1.5 micrograms/l). The cytosol fraction (105,000 g) of term placental tissue contained approximately 0.7 mg of 17-HSD per gram of protein, and the concentrations of 17-HSD measured by immunoassay and enzymatic activity proved to be strictly parallel in different partly purified placental preparations. The supernatants from centrifugations of human endometrial homogenates at 800 g and 105,000 g (after detergent treatment) displayed cross-reactivity with the antibody. The mean concentration of the cross-reacting substance in the radioimmunoassay was 14.1 micrograms/g protein (range 2-62.3) in specimens taken on different days in the cycle. These concentrations showed a significant correlation with the 17-HSD activities measured in the endometrial specimens (r = 0.722, P less than 0.001, n = 21). Mean concentrations of substance were 8.3 micrograms/g protein in endometrial specimens taken during the follicular phase (days 4-12, n = 8) and 22.9 micrograms/g protein during the luteal phase (days 16-22, n = 6) were obtained using the radioimmunoassay. There was excellent parallelism between the competition curves for [125I]iodo-17-HSD with purified 17-HSD standards and placental and endometrial homogenate dilutions. These data strongly suggest that the substance measured in the endometrial specimens was 17-HSD.

Estrophilic 3 alpha,3 beta,17 beta,20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from rabbit liver--II. Mechanisms of enzyme-steroid interaction.

Binding of [3H]estradiol, [3H]testosterone and [3H]progesterone to purified NADP-dependent estrophilic 3 alpha,3 beta,17 beta,20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EHSD) from rabbit liver cytosol has been examined. The three steroids bind to the enzyme with moderate [corrected] affinity (Ka congruent to 10(7) [corrected] M-1 at 4 degrees C) and equal binding capacity. High-rates were shown for both association and dissociation processes. The steroids competitively inhibited the binding of each other to EHSD. At the same time, their relative binding affinities (RBA) were dependent on the nature of [3H]ligand. The results of RBA determinations for 72 steroids and their analogues by inhibition of [3H]progesterone binding to EHSD suggest that androgens and gestagens bind preferentially to the same site on EHSD molecule, while estrogens (at least by their D-ring) bind to another site. The assumption that EHSD molecule has more than one binding site for steroids is corroborated by (i) substrate inhibition revealed for a number of steroids; (ii) the estrogen ability to potentiate 20 alpha-reduction of progesterone; (iii) stimulatory effect of 5 alpha (beta)-androstane-3 alpha (beta), 17 beta-diols on [3H]testosterone and progesterone binding; and (iv) reciprocal effect of NADP on [3H]estradiol and [3H]testosterone binding to EHSD. Significant differences in sensitivity to pH and changes in NaCl concentration upon metabolism and binding of various steroids have been found. At concentrations of 16 mM dithiothreitol potentiated catalytic conversion of some steroids and had no effect on metabolism of others. Both the affinity for steroids and binding capacity of EHSD are found to be cofactor-dependent. It is speculated that EHSD has a complex active center including at least two mutually influencing steroid-binding sites tightly related with cofactor-binding site. The polyfunctionality of EHSD may be due to both the excess of functional protein groups that form individual constellations upon binding of any steroid and also to conformational lability of EHSD molecule implying alternative orientations of steroids at the binding site.

Multiple forms of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase in human breast tissue.

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, the enzyme that catalyses the interconversion of oestradiol and oestrone, is known to be present in human breast tissue. However, it is not known whether one or more forms of the enzyme is present. Homogenates of breast adipose tissue and breast glandular tissue were fractionated and fractions assayed in the oxidative direction with NAD+ and NADP+ as coenzymes, and in the reductive direction with NADH and NADPH as coenzymes. Ultracentrifugation of homogenates showed that there was membrane-bound activity and soluble activity. The soluble activity was due to a number of forms of the enzyme with different molecular weights, three in breast adipose tissue and two in breast glandular tissue, as shown by fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The forms of the enzyme isolated differed in their affinities for substrates and coenzymes and in the relative rates at which they catalysed the oxidative and reductive reactions. Preliminary experiments with breast tumours showed that they also contained membrane-bound activity and more than one soluble form of the enzyme.

Human placental estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase: sequence of a histidine-bearing peptide in the catalytic region.

The amino acid sequence of an octapeptide from the catalytic site of human placental estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.62) was established by affinity-labeling techniques. The enzyme was inactivated separately by 12 beta-hydroxy-4-estrene-3,17-dione 12-(bromo[2-14C]acetate) and 3-methoxyestriol 16-(bromo[2-14C]acetate) at pH 6.3. The inactivations, in both cases, followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with half-times for the 12 beta and 16 alpha derivatives being 192 and 68 h, respectively. Both derivatives are known substrates that inactivate in a time-dependent, irreversible manner and that modify cysteine residues to form (carboxymethyl)cysteine and histidine residues to form either N tau- or N pi-(carboxymethyl)histidine. The inactivated enzyme samples were separately reduced, carboxymethylated, and digested with trypsin. The tryptic digests were applied to Sephadex G-50 and the radioactive N tau- and N phi-(carboxymethyl)histidine-bearing peptides identified. The peptides were further purified by cation-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Final purification was achieved by HPLC prior to sequencing. It was determined that both steroid derivatives modified either of the two histidine residues in the peptide Thr-Asp-Ile-His-Thr-Phe-His-Arg. These histidines are different from a histidine that was previously shown to be alkylated by estrone 3-(bromoacetate) and that was presumed to proximate the A ring of the bound steroid. It is concluded that the two histidine residues identified in the present study proximate the D ring of the steroid as it binds at the active site and may participate in the hydrogen transfer effected by human placental estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase.

17 beta-hydroxysteroid and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of human placental microsomes: kinetic evidence for two enzymes differing in substrate specificity.

During storage at 4 degrees C, the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of human placental microsomes with estradiol-17 beta was more stable than that with testosterone. In order to evaluate the basis for this difference, kinetics with C18-, C19-, and C21- steroids as substrates and/or inhibitors was studied in conjunction with an analysis of the effects of detergents. Both 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-HSD) activities were detected. At pH 9.0, apparent Michaelis constants were 0.8, 1.3, and 2.3 microM for estradiol-17 beta, testosterone, and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, respectively, 17 beta-HSD activity with testosterone was inhibited by estradiol-17 beta, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 5 beta-dihydrotestosterone, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, and progesterone. In each case 90 to 100% inhibition was observed at 50 to 200 microM steroid. Activity with 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone was similarly sensitive to inhibition by C19-steroids. By contrast, 25 to 45% of the activity with estradiol-17 beta was not inhibited by high concentrations of C19- or C21-steroids and differed from the 17 beta-HSD activity with testosterone and the major fraction of that with estradiol-17 beta by being insensitive to solubilization by detergent. These results are consistent with an association of two dehydrogenase activities with human placental microsomes. One recognizes C18-, C19-, and C21-steroids as substrates with comparable affinities. The second appears to be highly specific for estradiol-17 beta. The former activity may account for most if not all of the oxidation-reduction at C-17 of C19-steroids and at C-20 of C21-compounds at physiological concentrations by term placental tissue.

Study of human placental estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase/20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by preparative disc-gel electrophoresis.

The soluble enzyme, estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase from human term placenta, appears to co-purify with a second soluble enzyme, 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The enzyme, which had been partially purified by affinity chromatography, fractionated on a preparative electrophoresis gel to a homogeneous preparation containing both estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in a ratio of approximately 100:1. Analytical polyacrylamide disc-gels resolved this homogeneous preparation as a single band by both protein and activity staining techniques. Homogeneous enzyme inactivated and affinity-radioalkylated by 16 alpha-[2'-14C]bromoacetoxyprogesterone or 16 alpha-[2'-14C] bromoacetoxyestradiol 3-methyl ether, and when analyzed by SDS disc-gel electrophoresis, gave a single protein band which corresponded identically to the radioactivity peaks. These observations support the hypothesis that estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase represent dual oxidoreductase activity in one enzyme. Preparative disc-gel electrophoresis, a technique which has not been previously adapted to purification of these human placental enzyme activities, was useful to rapidly (3 days) effect a 15-fold enrichment of the estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase specific activity from "heat-treated cytosol". Thus, laboratory-scale preparative disc-gel electrophoresis is useful for rapid, small-scale enrichment of this soluble enzyme.

Purification and properties of the soluble 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of rabbit uterus.

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity towards estradiol-17 beta has been demonstrated in the 105,000 x g supernatant of rabbit uterus. Hydroxylapatite chromatography of the enzyme activity isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose chromatography yielded a single 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Further purification of the enzyme preparation by isoelectric focusing resulted in multiple peaks of activity. The molecular weight of the enzyme, caculated from mobility data on Sephadex gel, is approximately 64,000. Some properties of partially purified 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity have been studied. Estradiol-17 beta reacts at a faster rate than testosterone. The Km for estradiol is 4.16 x 10(-5) mol/l for the NAD-linked enzyme activity and 4.37 x 10(-5) mol/l when NADP as cofactor was used. The ratio of the maximal velocity for NADP to that for NAD was 1.42. The pH-optimum for estradiol appears between 9.5 and 10.5 and for estrone between 5.5 and 6.5. The enzyme appears to be of the sulfhydryl type.

"Affinity" chromatography of steroid-transforming enzymes with a non-steroidal ligand.

The chromatographic behaviour of an avian oestradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase, the 3(17) beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni and cortisone reductase from Streptomyces dehydrogenans was studied on columns of p-(phenoxypropoxy)aniline attached to CNBr-activated Sepharose. The ligand was effective in adsorbing the oestradiol dehydrogenase from a partially purified extract of chicken liver, and the cortisone reductase was perferentially retained when mixtures of the three dehydrogenases were applied to columns in 10mM-buffer. Under these conditions the 3(17)beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase was eluted in the front, but was adsorbed in the presence of 3 M-KCl. beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase present in the liver preparation was not retained by the ligand, whereas lactate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle was adsorbed in a manner similar to the retention pattern found on affinity chromatography with 2',5'-ADP--Sepharose. The mean overall purification of the oestradiol dehydrogenase was 13-fold, with a mean recovery of 53%. p-(Phenoxypropoxy)aniline offers promise for the purification of steroid-transforming enzymes where elution with substrate or cofactor is not wanted. It is also suggested that the ligand may be of service in the purification of receptors of hormonal steroids.

Purification and properties of 17 beta-hydroxy-C19-steroid dehydrogenases of adult male guinea pig kidney.

The 17 beta-hydroxy-C19-steroid dehydrogenase activity of adult male guinea pig kidney was separated into one isolated and two contiguous enzymatically pure fractions by submitting the cytosol to (NH4)2SO4 (40-80% saturation) precipitation, Sephadex G-75 filtration, and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and CM-Sephadex C-50 chromatography. Further DEAE-Sephadex A-50 and CM-Sephadex C-50 chromatography separated eight isozymes, which were divided into four groups in accordance with their behavior on chromatography and mobility on gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of the purified enzymes were identical by Sephadex filtration (33,000) and SDS gel electrophoresis (34,000). Two of the enzymes were separated by SDS gel electrophoresis into two subcomponents of 23,000 and 11,000 daltons. The amino acid composition, Km values, and coenzyme and substrate specificities of the enzymes (except one) were very similar. The pI values varied from 5.1-6.4 HgCl2 and PCMB inhibited enzyme activity, but prior addition of cysteine prevented the inhibition. The presence of phosphate or pyrophosphate greatly enhanced the trace of DPN+ -linked activity. The heterogeneity was due to at least two factors. Rapid (within 3 h) preparation of the cytosol in 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol yielded one intense and one minor enzyme band on gel electrophoresis. Omission of the mercaptoethanol resulted in the appearance of three enzyme bands, which were reversible on the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol. Storage of the cytosol at 4 or -20 C in the absence or presence of 7 mM 2-mercaptoethanol and of the kidney before extraction also resulted in the exhibition of enzyme bands which were not reversible on addition of 2-mercaptoethanol. The purified enzymes exhibited only a single form on storage at -20 C with 2-mercaptoethanol, but multiple forms appeared when the mercaptoethanol was removed by dialysis. The multiple forms were reverted to a single form on addition of mercaptoethanol.