Cell-specific expression of the glucocorticoid receptor within granular convoluted tubules of the rat submaxillary gland

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Endocrinology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-128-1-617· OSTI ID:5989393

Antakly, T; Zhang, C X; Sarrieau, A; Raquidan, D ^[1]

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1. McGill Univ., Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

The submaxillary gland, a heterogeneous tissue composed essentially of two functionally distinct cell types (tubular epithelial and acinar), offers an interesting system in which to study the mechanisms of steroid-dependent growth and differentiation. One cell type, the granular convoluted tubular (GCT) cell, secretes a large number of physiologically important polypeptides, including epidermal and nerve growth factors. Two steroids, androgens and glucocorticoids, greatly influence the growth, differentiation, and secretory activity of GCT cells. Because glucocorticoids can partially mimic or potentiate androgen effects, it has been thought that glucocorticoids act via androgen receptors. Since the presence of glucocorticoid receptors is a prerequisite for glucocorticoid action, we have investigated the presence and cellular distribution of glucocorticoid receptors within the rat submaxillary gland. Binding experiments using (3H)dexamethasone revealed the presence of high affinity binding sites in rat submaxillary tissue homogenates. Most of these sites were specifically competed by dexamethasone, corticosterone, and a pure glucocorticoid agonist RU 28362. Neither testosterone nor dihydrotestosterone competed for glucocorticoid binding. The cellular distribution of glucocorticoid receptors within the submaxillary gland was investigated by immunocytochemistry, using two highly specific glucocorticoid receptor antibodies. The receptor was localized in the GCT cells, but not in the acinar cells of rat and mouse submaxillary tissue sections. In GCT cells, the glucocorticoid receptor colocalized with several secretory polypeptides, including epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, alpha 2u-globulin, and atrial natriuretic factor.

• OSTI ID: 5989393
• Journal Information: Endocrinology; (USA), Vol. 128:1; ISSN 0013-7227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
GLUCOCORTICOIDS
RECEPTORS
SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION
ANTIBODIES
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
DEXAMETHASONE
MICE
RATS
SALIVARY GLANDS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
ADRENAL HORMONES
ANIMALS
BODY
CORTICOSTEROIDS
DISTRIBUTION
GLANDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KETONES
KINETICS
MAMMALS
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PREGNANES
PROTEINS
REACTION KINETICS
RODENTS
STEROIDS
VERTEBRATES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques