Characterization of the progesterone receptor solubilized by micrococcal nuclease and DNase I digestion.

In order to investigate the functional organization of the progesterone receptor in chromatin we characterized the physical-chemical properties of the receptor bound chromatin fragments released by micrococcal nuclease and DNase I digestion. The crude nuclear fraction was isolated from T 47 D cells, previously exposed to 0.1 microM [3H]ORG 2058. The parameters determined in low and high salt concentrated buffers were: sedimentation coefficients (S) on a sucrose gradient, Stokes radii (Rs) by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column and the binding abilities to a DNA-cellulose column. The molecular weights (Mr) and frictional ratios (f/fo) were calculated from the S and Rs values. Micrococcal nuclease digestion solubilized a receptor form sedimenting as a single peak at 4.4 S with a Rs = 7.78 nm and an estimated Mr = 144,000. About 53% of the applied receptor bound to a DNA-cellulose column could be eluted by high salt concentrated buffer. 0.4 M KCl dissociated this receptor form into a smaller receptor sedimenting at 3.3 S with Rs = 5.53 nm and a calculated Mr = 76,000. A similar receptor form was extracted by 0.6 M KCl from the undigested crude nuclear fraction. DNase I digestion solubilized a receptor form sedimenting at 3.3 S with a Rs = 6.87 nm and a calculated Mr = 94,000. About 26% of the applied receptor bound to a DNA-cellulose column could be eluted by high salt concentrated buffer. Dissociation of this receptor form by 0.4 M KCl resulted in a receptor sedimenting at 2.8 S with a Rs = 6.53 nm and an estimated Mr = 76,000. These results suggest: The progesterone receptor in chromatin is associated with several molecules probably proteins which complexed it to DNA. Some of these molecules still associated with the progesterone receptor could be released by nucleases digestion. Micrococcal nuclease releases a larger portion of these molecules than those release by DNase I.