Characterization of the DNA-binding state of the rat uterine estrogen receptor by UV cross-linking.

Characterization of the DNA-binding state of the rat uterine estrogen receptor was examined by UV cross-linking using [32P]5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-substituted 25-base pair synthetic oligonucleotide containing a Xenopus vitellogenin A2 estrogen response element (BrdUVRE). After UV irradiation of the receptor-BrdUVRE complexes, they were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the nuclear estradiol-, ICI164, 384- and 4-hydroxytamoxifen-receptor complexes, the bands corresponding to the mobility of the receptor homodimer were observed. In a molybdate stabilized soluble receptor, we observed the bands with the slower mobility than the receptor homodimers.