Estradiol receptor-nuclear interactions in aging mouse uteri: the role of DNA and nuclear matrix

We have studied the interactions of estradiol receptor (ER) with nuclear DNA or matrix (NM) in the uteri from young, middle-aged and old mice. Recombination studies using heat-activated ER and nuclear subfractions from various age groups suggested a 30% reduction for DNA binding (P less than 0.05) but not for NM with aging. Cross-incubation studies of heat-activated ER with nuclear subfractions from mice of all three age subgroups showed that this reduced DNA binding ability followed the onset of anestrous and did not result from proteolytic degradation of ER complexes.