Theoretical basis for a new in vivo radioreceptor assay for polypeptide hormones.

To date the in vivo identification and quantitation of specific hormone receptors has been difficult, time consuming, and lacking in sensitivity. We present the theory underlying a new in vivo radioreceptor assay for polypeptide hormones based on receptor theory derived from in vitro investigations and in vivo kinetic and autoradiographic studies. The assay was developed from a tissue model and a theory of hormone distribution. Measuring the labeled hormone distributed between the plasma and interstitial space in the presence or absence of excess unlabeled hormone permits the accurate determination of hormone specifically bound to receptors. This approach eliminates the problem of nonspecific binding due to free tracer, hormone degradation products, or labeled non-hormone molecules. A receptor compartment and specific binding of hormone are calculated from only four measured parameters: total tissue labeled hormone, tissue albumin, plasma labeled hormone, and plasma albumin. The method is applicable to most tissues and hormones under a variety of conditions and permits simultaneous comparison of multiple tissues in the same animal under identical conditions.