Estrogen receptors in the wobbler mouse.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neurobiology
• Genetics

Background:

• The wobbler (wr/wr) mouse mutant was investigated for a potential estrogen receptor deficit.
• This hypothesis was based on an analogy to androgen receptor deficiency in testicular feminization models.
• Estrogen receptors play crucial roles in various physiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate estrogen receptor binding activity in cytosolic extracts of kidney, liver, and brain from wobbler mice.
• To determine if wobbler mice exhibit a deficit in estrogen receptor concentration or function.
• To validate the presence and characteristics of estrogen receptors in specific mouse tissues.

Main Methods:

• DNA-cellulose chromatography was employed to examine estrogen-binding activity.
• Cytosolic extracts from kidney, liver, and brain of wobbler mice and control groups were analyzed.
• Estradiol binding affinity and capacity were assessed to characterize estrogen receptor components.

Main Results:

• Estrogen receptors, characterized by DNA adherence and specific elution profiles, were detected in all examined tissues (kidney, liver, brain).
• High-affinity, limited-capacity binding of estradiol confirmed the presence of functional estrogen receptors.
• Qualitative elution patterns were consistent across wobbler mice, littermate controls, and C57BL/6J mice within each tissue.
• This study provides the first demonstration of putative estrogen receptors in mouse liver using DNA-cellulose chromatography.

Conclusions:

• The data do not support the hypothesis that the wobbler mouse is an estrogen receptor-deficient mutant.
• No consistent deficits in estrogen receptor concentration were found in wobbler mice compared to their littermates.
• The study confirms the presence of estrogen receptors in key tissues of the wobbler mouse, refuting the initial hypothesis of a deficit.