[Identification of estrogen-binding proteins in the human liver]

Several properties of estradiol (E2)-binding cytosol macromolecules in the liver of females with cholecystitis and of males with hepatic cirrhosis were studied by means of comparatively delicate methods of free- and bound hormone separation. E2-binding macromolecules with Stokes' radius of approximately 5 nm were found in the hepatic samples under study, formed with E2 complexes, similar to estrogen receptors, according to hormonal specificity of affinity and stability. Protein, similar to a specific estrogen-binding protein of the rat and guinea pig liver, was not found in the preparations examined.