Binding of 7 alpha, 17 alpha-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone (mibolerone) to androgen and progesterone receptors in human and animal tissues

In rat uterus and prostate, 7 alpha, 17 alpha-dimethyl-19-nortestosterone (DMNT) binds to the androgen receptor specifically and with high affinity. However, this steroid does not bind to glucocorticoid receptors, since it does not displace binding of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide in calf thymus cytosol. In calf uterine and human breast tumor cytosols DMNT binds to the androgen and progesterone receptors, since binding of [3H] DMNT is displaced by unlabeled 16 alpha-ethyl-21-hydroxy-19-nor-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione triamcinolone acetonide, and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Conversely, binding of [3H]16 alpha-ethyl-21-hydroxy-19-nor-4-pregnene-3,20-dione is effectively competed for by unlabeled DMNT but not by DHT. The observed differences in binding of [3H]DMNT to rat and calf uterine cytosols suggest the species specificity of progesterone receptors. Unlike DHT, DMNT has no appreciable binding to human sex-steroid binding globulin. These findings suggest DMNT as a suitable ligand for measurement and characterization of androgen receptors in rat and human prostate.