title: Androgen- and estrogen-binding macromolecules in developing mouse brain: biochemical and genetic evidence.
abstract: Androgen- and estrogen-binding macromolecules from the hypothalamus plus preoptic area of 3- to 4-week-old mice have been detected and partially characterized. These components bind the respective hormones with high affinity (saturating at 4-8 nM) and sediment with rates typical of presumed steroid receptors (4.0-4.5 S in 0.15 M NaCl, 5.0-7.5 S without salt). A 90-95% reduction in androgen binding found in the androgen-insensitivity mutant mouse, testicular feminization (Tfm), provides a genetic control for the specificity of binding. This reduced androgen binding with Tfm/Y mutants and blocking experiments with non-radioactive estradiol [estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol] and testosterone (17beta-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one) indicate the existence of at least two binding components: one with high affinity only for estradiol, the other with affinity for both androgens and estrogen. Based on these properties, a receptor mechanism that detects relative concentrations of androgens and estrogens is proposed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol