Steroid receptors in human renal carcinoma
Chen, L.; Weiss, F.R.; Chaichik, S.; Keydar, I.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 16(11): 756-760
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 7192273 Document Number: 164461
Glucocorticoid- and androgen-binding receptors were demonstrated in cytosol of human renal cell carcinomas by the dextran-coated charcoal technique. Sedimentation studies using preparative ultracentrifugation indicated a 7 to 8 S binding component. None of the renal carcinoma cells tested contained detectable estrogen receptors and a few samples had a very low but demonstrable progestin receptor level. In the normal kidneys tested, cytoplasmic components that bound only androgen could be detected. Competition studies showed that progestin competed for the glucocorticoid receptor sites in all the renal tumors tested, whereas diethylstilbestrol and testosterone were weak or not competitive. It is suggested that the response of some patients with renal carcinoma to high doses of progesterone or androgens could be explained by the ability of these hormones to block the activity of glucocorticoid receptors, which might be involved in tumor growth.