title: Characterization of the binding of thyroxine to high density lipoproteins and apolipoproteins A-I.
abstract: We studied binding of T4 to the lipid-complexed apolipoproteins (apo) of high density lipoproteins (HDL), the major lipoprotein carrier of thyroid hormones in human plasma, and to lipid-free apoA-I. HDL isolated from fresh normal plasma by ultracentrifugation (density, 1.063-1.210 g/mL) was photoaffinity labeled with [3,5-(125)I]T4 and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two bands corresponding to apoA-I (28.3K) and apoC-II or apoC-III (8.6-9.2K) were seen, and their radioactivity decreased by 50-60% when labeled in the presence of 1 mumol/L T4. Photoaffinity labeling of isolated apoA-I also was demonstrated and was decreased 74% by 1 mumol/L T4, suggesting a higher affinity of the lipid-free protein for T4. T4 binding of isolated apoA-I was optimal at pH 7-8, reached a maximum after 1 h at 23 C, and decreased after incubation at 37 C. Scatchard analysis revealed a single T4-binding site with a Ka of 7.5 x 10(7) L/mol at 23 C, pH 8.2. The potency of T4 analogs as inhibitors of T4 binding to isolated apoA-I was L-T4 = D-T4 = triiodothyroacetic acid = L-rT3 much greater than L-T3 much greater than L-thyronine. The binding of T4 to apoA-I was reduced by known inhibitors of T4 binding to serum proteins (diclofenac = mefenamic acid = furosemide = 8-anilinonaphthalene sulfonic acid much greater than dilantin greater than heparin greater than barbital) and by lipids (unsaturated fatty acids greater than cholesterol = cholesterol esters = phospholipids greater than saturated fatty acids = diglycerides = triglycerides). We conclude that the binding of T4 to HDL is mediated by a specific interaction of the hormone with apoA-I and with apoC-II and/or apoC-III. Since the lipid constituents of HDL inhibit T4 binding to apoA-I, the HDL subfraction in plasma that carries most of the HDL-bound T4 should be one with a low lipid content.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benvenga
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cahnmann
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gregg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000032:analysis*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000494:pharmacology; D005665:Furosemide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000032:analysis*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000032:analysis; D008528:Mefenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000032:analysis*; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins; D004008:Diclofenac; D008528:Mefenamic Acid; D005665:Furosemide; D013974:Thyroxine