Oestrogen specific binding sites in bovine muscle nuclei.

A method for preparation of purified bovine diaphragm nuclei was developed and the presence of specific oestradiol binding sites was demonstrated in salt extracts of such muscle nuclei by kinetic, equilibrium and competition studies. Scatchard analysis of [3H]zeranol binding also indicated the presence of high-affinity binding sites in nuclei from female animals (heifers) for this synthetic oestrogenic anabolic agent. Measured levels of specific [3H]oestradiol binding were higher in zeranol-treated steer than in untreated heifer, or steer diaphragm nuclei. A second, lower-affinity oestrogen-binding component was identified using [3H]oestradiol at concentrations greater than 8 nM in all three types of animals. The data suggest that gonadal oestrogens or related anabolic agents might have direct effects on muscle through receptor-like macromolecules.