Characterization of cytoplasmic binding of dihydrotestosterone by the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, kidney, and liver of the mouse

Abstract

The binding of [ 3H]dihydrotestosterone ([ 3H]DHT) to cellular components from prostate, seminal vesicles, kidney, and liver of the male mouse was studied using a dextran-coated charcoal method to separate bound steroid from free steroid. Optimum conditions for binding include incubating tissues from animals 3 days postcastration for 12 hr at 0°C. Separation of bound steroid from free steroid was found to be optimal when the samples were incubated with the charcoal suspension for 15 min. Two components of DHT binding were found in all tissues studied, but a higher capacity was noted in androgen target tissues such as the prostate gland. The high affinity binding was also very specific for DHT as evidenced by competition studies employing various hormones, such as estriol, corticosterone, estrone, progesterone, estradiol, cyproterone acetate, testosterone, and DHT.