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Are fluorescein‐conjugated androgens appropriate for a histochemical detection of prostatic androgen receptors?
Author(s) -
Lämmel Andreas,
Krieg Michael,
Klötzl GÜNther
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.2990040307
Subject(s) - fluorescein , fluorescence , staining , androgen receptor , receptor , androgen , dihydrotestosterone , pathology , prostate , autofluorescence , chemistry , endocrinology , biology , medicine , prostate cancer , cancer , hormone , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Histochemical fluorescence techniques could be of great value in order to assay androgen receptors (AR), particularly in punch biopsies from human prostatic carcinoma (PCA). Therefore, prostatic tissue was examined for specific binding of fluorescein‐labeled Sα‐ dihydrotestosterone derivatives (FDHT) to AR. Using a 17β‐fluoresceinated DHT derivative (17‐FDHT), variable fluorescence was found in human and rat prostates at high 17‐FDHT concentrations. This fluorescence could be blocked by unlabeled DHT in 11 and 73% of human and rat prostatic tissue, respectively. Control studies of receptor and organ specificity were conducted and showed that preheated slices from rat prostates displayed no decrease of fluorescent staining. No difference in fluorescence intensity could be seen between prostates from castrated and uncastrated rats. Unstained tissue slices frequently showed a considerable intensity of autofluorescence. An appreciable amount of fluorescence in both rat liver and spleen was found. From these results and various general methodical problems inherent in fluorescent receptor assays, we conclude that the fluorescence techniques described are inappropriate for demonstration of AR.