Immunocytochemical visualization of luteinizing hormone-human chorionic gonadotropin (LH-hCG) receptors in Leydig cells in primary culture.
Visualization of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) binding sites was obtained by immunocytochemical reaction on Leydig cells cultured in chemically defined medium. After a short in vitro incubation with hCG or luteinizing hormone (LH), the cells were fixed and the bound molecules were revealed using anti-hCG or anti-LH antisera. In both cases the immunocytochemical reaction appeared as granulations at the cell surface. After prolonged (48 hr) culture in the presence of 0.5, 5, or 50 ng/ml of hCG, the hormone receptor complex is still visible. Similarly, following short exposure to hCG (0.5 or 50 ng/ml) and one or two days of culture without hCG, the immunocytochemical reaction is still present. These observations suggest that the half-life of the bound hormone is very long. This in vitro system in which the amount and time of hormone exposure are precisely defined provides arguments in favor of a long-term maintenance of the receptor complexes at the cell surface.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D013997:Time Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007106:Immune Sera; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone