Transformation of glucocorticoid-receptor complex oligomers to DNA-binding forms in the absence of monomerization

The contention that transformation of steroid-receptor complexes is represented by dissociation of receptor oligomers was tested by comparing sedimentation and DNA binding properties of glucocorticoid-receptor complexes from HeLa cell cytosol under several conditions. Transformation of glucocorticoid-receptor complexes could be induced by heat, and/or salt treatment of cytosolic extracts, but not by dilution. Heat-induced transformation of receptor complexes was also confirmed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Analysis of cytosolic extracts showed that sedimentation and DNA binding properties of glucocorticoid-receptor complexes did not correlate. Both oligomeric and monomeric receptor complexes, in fact, were found to be either transformed, or untransformed, depending on the treatments cytosolic extracts underwent, before being subjected to analysis. We then concluded that release of glucocorticoid receptor monomers cannot account for their transformation to a DNA-binding form in vitro, and suggested that exposure of positive charges on the surface of receptors in the course of transformation occurs in some region of the glucocorticoid receptor which is not involved in interactions between the proteinaceous components of oligomers.