Cell membrane receptors for polypeptide hormones. Application to the study of disease states in mice, and men.

Recent studies have suggested that the first step in the action of polypeptide hormones and catecholamines is binding to surface membrane receptor sites. This interaction can be studied directly using radioactively labeled hormones and a variety of receptor preparations. With these radioreceptor assay technics, it has been possible to define structure-activity relationships and to assay plasma hormones. These studies have also been used to define alterations in the hormone receptors in disease that lead to peripheral resistance to hormonal action and to characterize the factors that regulate receptor concentrations.