Age-associated changes in nuclear binding of rat uterine estradiol receptor complexes

Nuclear binding of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors was measured in an in vitro cell-free system, using various mixtures of cytosols and nuclei from uteri of mature (6-9 month old) and senescent (24-25 month old) Wistar rats. Both nuclei and cytoplasmic receptors from senescent uteri were 25-35% less efficient in supporting nuclear binding than those obtained from mature tissues as evidenced by the concentrations of occupiable nuclear acceptor sites. No age differences in association or dissociation constants were observed for the nuclear binding reaction. However, the apparent inability of some aged receptors to bind to the full complement of mature nuclear acceptor sites may indicate a qualitative deficiency in the cytosols of senescent uteri.