title: Estrogen binding sites and estrophilin histochemistry and their correlation with oestrogen receptor biochemistry.
abstract: Since the application of mono- and poly-clonal antibodies to the estrogen receptor protein (estrophilin) classically admitted opinions about the interactions between estrogens and their target cells have changed. Biochemical assays of ER have been shown to provide false negative results; the key-mechanism seems to be located at the nuclear level, while until now most emphasis was put on cytosolic ER. In histochemistry, apparently contradictory reports have emphasized either cytoplasmic or nuclear labelling of estrogen binding sites (EBS). A lot of supputations have tried to explain in vitro translocations from the cytoplasm to the nucleus according to the physicochemical conditions which were used. Reading of some articles gives the impression that EBS histochemistry is yet an established and reliable method; commercially available histochemical "kits" may support this false idea. Therefore it is absolutely mandatory to intend to remain cautious and critical. Stepwise our knowledge is increasing; it is absolutely clear that the problems which did rise thanks to the "contradictory" histochemical studies gave a new impetus to both biochemical and histochemical research. Immunohisto- and cyto-chemistry of EBS and estrophilin go on in parallel and in correlation with biochemistry.
mesh_terms: D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C010140:estrophilin