Circadian and seasonal variations of glucocorticoid receptors in normal human lymphocytes.
Circulating human lymphocytes are known to contain specific glucocorticoid receptors. Using a competitive binding whole cell assay, we have examined the binding of [3H] dexamethasone to peripheral lymphocytes of normal male subjects. Lymphocytes were found to contain 2000-10000 glucocorticoid receptor sites/cell and the Kd value was in the range of 0.5-9 X 10(-9) M. The number and affinity of glucocorticoid receptors did not change throughout a 1-year observation time. In contrast, there was a significant diurnal variation in receptor content (38% higher at 11 p.m. than at 8 a.m.), while receptor affinity did not change.
D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons
D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003907:Dexamethasone