Steroid hormone receptor localization in the nuclear matrix: interaction with acceptor sites.
The nuclear matrix is a conceptually attractive candidate for the site in the nucleus where steroid hormone-receptor complexes might interact to modulate DNA structure and function. We have demonstrated that in sex steroid target tissues a major proportion (50-100%) of the high affinity and steroid-specific receptors that become associated with the nucleus following hormonal stimulation are localized in the nuclear matrix. Direct cell-free binding assays confirm that this localization is due to the presence of specific acceptor sites in the matrix to which steroid-receptor complexes bind with high affinity and tissue specificity, and is not the result of spurious binding. The nuclear matrix appears to be a major site of hormone receptor binding in the nucleus, and this situation is consistent with the known ability of steroid hormones to stimulate gene transcription, a process which also appears to occur in association with the nuclear matrix.
Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
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D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000032:analysis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding; D051381:Rats; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000032:analysis*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011987:Receptors, Steroid