A rapid, sensitive assay for analyzing defects in metabolism of steroids in normal and diseased human tissues.

In this report, we describe a simple, rapid biopsy-steroid metabolism assay that is applicable to any steroid tissue system. It consists of mincing the sample, tissue culture incubation, extraction of the steroids and their metabolites from the tissue, and fractionation of the metabolites by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Radioimmunoassay is used to verify the elution patterns of certain steroids. Studies of the metabolism of [3H]progesterone in the avian oviduct showed the generation of metabolites that eluted from the HPLC system in a pattern similar to androgens, estrogens, and glucocorticoids. Studies of the metabolism of [3H]testosterone in the human foreskin showed the production of metabolites that eluted from the HPLC system similar to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione (androstanedione) from the parent [3H]testosterone. In the production of the metabolite that eluted as androstanedione in samples of foreskin from normal subjects, a significant (P less than 0.001) correlation was found with the age of the donor. Preliminary studies of patients with hypospadias showed a significant (P less than 0.005) decrease in the production of "androstanedione" compared with that in normal subjects. Because of the wide range in rates of metabolism of testosterone in the patients with hypospadias, the effect of age does not seem to be the sole determinant of a low rate of metabolism in these patients. Some samples of hypospadias foreskin had a decreased rate of production of a metabolite that eluted as dihydrotestosterone in comparison with normal foreskin, even when the age of the donor was considered. The assay described herein should be applicable to any surgical biopsy specimen and to all steroids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

O6-methylguanine methyltransferase in rat liver.

The protein which catalyzes the repair of O6-methylguanine in DNA has been purified 3800-fold from rat liver. This protein acts as a methyltransferase, with the methyl group transferred to a protein-associated cysteine residue. From kinetic and physical studies, we conclude that the methyl group is transferred to the protein responsible for the activity, resulting in inactivation of the enzyme. The enzyme is asymmetric, with a molecular weight of approximately 18 500. Following methylation, there is an apparent aggregation of methylated proteins which is independent of the concentration of NaCl or nonionic detergent. Upon denaturation and analysis by gel electrophoresis, the aggregated methylated protein migrates as a single peak with a molecular weight of 18 900. The activity does not require any cofactors or divalent cations but is inhibited by NaCl. The activity also shows a preference for double-stranded DNA in terms of kinetics and efficiency of repair.