Steroid-Cell Interactions

Steroid-Cell Interactions describes the processes involved in the intracellular binding of steroids (and related compounds) in mammalian cells. Serum binding proteins and steroid-immunoglobulin interaction are also discussed, along with the relationship of these binding processes to the biological action of the steroid. This book consists of 10 chapters and begins by presenting an elementary account of the factors contributing to the interaction between a steroid hormone and another molecule. The discussion then turns to the three types of methods used to study the interaction between steroids and tissue receptors: cell fractionation, autoradiography, and the separation of specifically and non-specifically bound steroids. The next chapter deals with the metabolism of steroid hormones in relation to their binding and mechanism of action, focusing on testosterone and progesterone. The reader is also introduced to the intracellular binding of androgens, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and estrogens and to how binding is related to biological activity. The final chapter reviews the clinical and immunological data relevant to steroid-protein binding. This text will be of interest to students and practitioners of biology, biochemistry, and physiology.