Alterations in glucocorticoid receptor conformation by molybdate

Glucocorticoid receptor activities in cytosol from lactating rat mammary glands were greatly stabilized by molybdate against inactivation during incubation at 25 degrees C. The sedimentation coefficient was 9-10S in the presence of 10 mM Na2MoO4, but 6-7S in the absence of the ion. These data strongly suggest that alterations in receptor conformation induced by direct interaction with molybdate are involved in the stabilization process.