Examination of Glycosylated α 2u -Globulin-Containing Medium for Steroid-Binding Activity 1

Abstract

Abstract

The function of α_2u-globulin, the major urinary protein of adult male rats, is unknown. These studies are an attempt to probe the role that glycosylated α_2u-globulin may play in the binding and transport of steroid hormones. Under the conditions of the experiments reported herein, glycosylated α_2u-globulin, secreted into the culture medium by primary monolayer cultures of hepatocytes, does not bind dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, or dexamethasone in vitro. These results do not preclude the possibility that α_2u-globulin binds steroids in other situations or that it has high affinity for other types of molecules.