Effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and cortisol interaction on steroid-binding capacity in the rat.

The specificity of the cortisol-receptor protein is examined in plasma and liver cytosol of rats. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate does not inhibit the binding of cortisol to transcortin, nor does it affect the binding capacity of dexamethasone to the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor, but, by interacting with the cortisol molecule, it interferes with hormone-mediated processes in the cell.