A reconstituted cell-free system for the specific transfer of steroid--receptor complexes into nuclear chromatin isolated from the rat ventral prostate gland.
1. A system has been developed for the specific transfer of [(3)H]dihydrotestosterone-receptor complexes into prostatic chromatin in vitro. 2. Under optimum conditions the overall transfer of [(3)H]dihydrotestosterone into purified chromatin in this reconstituted system is entirely consistent with the results obtained in whole tissue both in vivo and in vitro. 3. The transfer of [(3)H]dihydrotestosterone into chromatin is tissue-specific and maximal into chromatin isolated from androgen-dependent tissues. 4. The tissue specificity is maintained at two levels: first, in the presence of specific cytoplasmic androgen-receptor proteins; secondly, by the nature and composition of the chromatin itself. 5. Evidence is presented that androgenic steroids in vivo may maintain the tissue-specific nature of chromatin in androgen-dependent tissues by the selective induction of nuclear protein synthesis. 6. The relevance of these findings to the mechanism of action of androgenic steroids is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002498:Centrifugation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002843:Chromatin / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D013739:Testosterone; D014316:Tritium
D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D014316:Tritium; D013739:Testosterone; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D007930:Leucine