RESUMO
Serum steroid binding properties of mature Bufo arenarum females were studied. Binding data obtained using charcoal adsorption assay and equilibrium dialysis methods indicates a single protein, named Bufo arenarum sex binding protein (Ba SBP), which binds 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) with high affinity (10(-7) M-1 - 10(8) M-1) and fair capacity (10(-6) M). Scatchard plot analysis demonstrated the coexistence of two binding sites. Ba SBP has a sedimentation coefficient of 5.2 S in sucrose gradient centrifugation in low salt and under steady-state conditions. The specificity of this protein, determined by competitive binding experiments, is comparable to human SBP. DHT and T bind with higher affinity than E2. Estriol and estrone competed poorly, while diethylstilbestrol and C21 steroids did not compete. The binding capacity of this protein is under estrogenic control.