In vitro effects of cytosolic inhibitor and opiates on the binding of [3H]oestradiol to nuclear type II binding sites of rat uterus and hypothalamus

The effect of cytosolic ultrafiltrates prepared from intact rat uteri, brain hemispheres and hypothalami and of some opiate analogues on oestradiol binding to nuclear type II sites in rat uterus and hypothalamus was studied. Opiate binding in nuclear fraction of rat uteri was also evaluated. Both uterine and hypothalamic low affinity nuclear oestradiol binding was inhibited by filtrate from uteri, while only hypothalamic nuclear binding was decreased in presence of hypothalamic filtrate. Filtrate from brain was ineffective on nuclear oestradiol binding of the studied tissues. Concentration dependent inhibition of uterine nuclear oestradiol binding could be demonstrated by some opiate analogues in vitro. Specific low affinity nuclear binding of opiate antagonist naloxone and agonist dihydromorphine was observed in rat uteri which could be inhibited by uterine filtrate and oestradiol but not by hypothalamic filtrate or other steroids. Present findings support the probable intracellular interplay of opiates and oestradiol action and suggest that cytosolic inhibitor factor might be involved.