Glucocorticoid Receptors of Mouse Epidermis and Dermis*

Abstract

The epidermis and dermis of the skin of newborn mice both contain glucocorticoid receptor molecules. These receptors resemble those of other tissues in their binding affinities, quantities, and steroid specificities. Having bound glucocorticoids, the complexes then can bind to nuclei. When chromatographed on gel filtration columns, they elute as large aggregates in low ionic strength buffers and as moieties with a Stokes' radius of 5.5 nm in high ionic strength buffers. Exposure to CaC1₂ releases a still smaller binding component with a Stokes' radius of 2.8 nm. Molybdic acid stabilizes these receptors not only in cell-free preparations but also in organ cultures of whole skin.