A comparison of 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol and tamoxifen aziridine as affinity labeling reagents for estrogen receptors.

The tritium-labeled from of 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol was prepared by metal hydride reduction of the 17-keto derivative. Affinity labeling experiments were carried out using [3H] 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol and [3H]tamoxifen aziridine with estrogen receptor from crude, calf uterine cytosol and partially purified (heparin-sepharose chromatography) preparations. Both compounds formed highly stable receptor complexes. Estrogen specific, covalent binding, however, was indicated only for [3H]tamoxifen aziridine. An equilibrium dissociation constant of 2.8 x 10(-10) M was determined for the receptor-[3H] 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol interaction. Measurement of hormone dissociation kinetics at 30 degrees C revealed a slow, single phase dissociation of 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol from the receptor (dissociation rate constant, 1.3 x 10(-3) min-1). This contrasted with the normal biphasic dissociation pattern of estradiol in which the dissociation rate constant for the slower component was 16.7 x 10(-3) min-1. The results indicate that 11 beta-chloromethylestradiol readily converts the estrogen receptor to a high affinity binding form and suggest that the radiolabeled hormone may prove useful for studies of estrogen action.