[Studies on tissue distribution of unusual estrogen-binding protein in rats with the help of immunoblotting]

Tissue distribution in male and female rats of unusual immunoreactive material specific for the hepatic estrogen-binding protein (UEBP) was studied by means of immunoblotting analysis. From 28 organs and tissues studied only the liver of animals of both sexes was found to contain polypeptide with Mr, close to Mr of purified UEBP (approximately 31,000), which reacts with anti-UEBP specific antiserum. Detection of the immunoreactive material in female liver, which does not contain any hormone-binding activity of UEBP, suggests pre- or posttranslational modifications of the protein. It is concluded that the regulatory action of UEBP on steroid biodynamics bears a narrow-directed, organ-specific character.