Effects of estradiol and the antiestrogen tamoxifen on steroid hormone receptor concentration and nuclear ribonucleic acid polymerase activities in rat uteri.

The antiestrogen tamoxifen has been used successfully in the treatment of breast cancer. In an attempt to elucidate its mode of action, its effects on steroid hormone receptor concentration and RNA polymerase activities in the uteri of ovariectomized rats have been compared with those of estradiol. A single dose of estradiol and tamoxifen, separately or in combination, produced slight increases in uterine wet weight 12 h after injection. Whereas both estradiol and tamoxifen could promote translocation of the estrogen receptor, only estradiol caused cytoplasmic replenishment of the receptor. Both compounds, separately and in combination, stimulated the production of cytoplasmic progesterone receptor 12 h after treatment. Estradiol produced and maintained significant elevations in RNA polymerase I activity, whereas the effects on this enzyme brought about by taxoxifen were less and transitory. However, estrogen and antiestrogen caused equal increases in RNA polymerase II activity, but, again, the effects of taxoxifen were shortlived when compared to those brought about by estradiol. Stimulation of RNA polymerase II activity was due to the availability of increased numbers of apparent initiation sites. These results point to a basic inefficacy in the antiestrogen-receptor complex; although it is able to promote early tissue responses characteristic of an estrogen, these cannot be sufficiently maintained.