Binding sites for the cytotoxic metabolites of estramustine phosphate (Estracyt) in rat and human pancreas that are distinct from pancreatic estrogen-binding protein.
The interaction of estramustine and estromustine, cytotoxic metabolites of estramustine phosphate (Estracyt), with protein-binding sites in rat pancreatic tissue was examined. These compounds were bound with relatively high affinity (Kd 10 nmol/L) to binding sites constituting 0.02-0.03% of total protein. Further characterization of these binding sites revealed a native molecular weight of 24-30,000 a sedimentation coefficient of 3.4 S, and a heterogenous surface-charge distribution by ion-exchange chromatography. Removal of endogenously bound ligand(s) by acetone precipitation or charcoal treatment increased binding significantly. Similar binding sites were present in two of two human pancreatic tumors, but was low or absent in the only histopathologically normal pancreas examined as well as in serum and pancreatic juice. These binding sites were distinct from the "estrogen-binding protein" reported in normal pancreas from various species, but were similar to the "estramustine-binding protein" (EMBP) in rat ventral prostate with respect to ligand specificity and the positive effect of endogenous ligand removal on binding. Furthermore, specimens demonstrating presence of these binding sites also indicated cross-reactivity with antibodies raised against the latter protein, suggesting an immunochemical relation between estra-/estromustine-binding sites in the pancreas and rat prostate EMBP. The presence of high-affinity sites for estramustine and estromustine in human pancreatic carcinomas make this type of tumor a possible target tissue for compounds that exert antiproliferative as well as antimitotic activity in vitro.