Transformation of androgen receptors from mouse submandibular glands by gel chromatography

[3H]Methyltrienolone-bound and unbound androgen receptors from mouse submandibular glands bound to DNA-cellulose to a similar extent after gel chromatography. The receptors sedimented at 6 S in a low-salt gradient whereas if receptors were transformed with KCl (0.4 mol/l) they sedimented at 4 S. On DEAE-anion exchange chromatography both were eluted at a concentration of 0.07 mol KCl/l. These results suggest that two states of transformed androgen receptors exist. A 6 S transformed receptor may well derive by partial dissociation of an 8 S non-transformed receptor and this is caused by gel chromatography. Molybdate ions completely prevent both the transformation induced by gel chromatography and the secondary transformation during DEAE-anion exchange chromatography.