On the stoichiometry of the interaction between prealbumin and retinol-binding protein.

The stoichiometry of the interaction between prealbumin and retinol-binding protein was investigated. Gel chromatography analyses of prealbumin on columns equilibrated with retinol-binding protein (RBP)-containing buffers and fluorescence polarization analyses of RBP in the presence of various concentrations of prealbumin demonstrated that 3 molecules of RBP could simultaneously bind to prealbumin. Each RBP molecule seemed to interact with prealbumin with an apparent association constant of about 7.8 X 10(6) M-1. Fab fragments of anti-iudiotypic antibodies raised against anti-RBP antibodies reaced specifically with the RBP-binding sites on prealbumin. Two anti-idiotypic Fab fragments could simultaneously interact with prealbumin. These data strongly suggest that prealbumin exhibits at least two RBP-binding sites.