No abstract

No abstract

A monoclonal antibody to estrogen receptor (JS34/32) is able to recognize, in the calf uterine cytosol, a protein (approximately 65 000 daltons) giving a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Two molecules of this antibody are able to simultaneously interact with the native 8S form of the receptor present in the calf uterine cytosol ("twin antibody" assay). This indicates the presence of two antigenic determinants on the "low-salt" 8S form of the receptor. This form of the receptor shows an increase in Mr from 345 000 to 665 000 after interaction with the soluble antibody. Dissociating agents that induce the dissociation of the 8S form to smaller forms also induce the dissociation of the two antigenic determinants. The 4S "high-salt" form of the estrogen receptor has one determinant per molecule, appearing to be the smallest form of the receptor not containing repetitive structures associated with the steroid binding site. The nuclear receptor also shows the presence of more than one antigenic determinant on its molecule.

Thirty-four newly admitted schizophrenic patients were treated with a fixed dose of thiothixene (0.44 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Thiothixene and its active metabolites were measured by a new radioreceptor assay. Improvement occurred over the entire range of recorded plasma levels, but the chances of substantial improvement appear greater above 40 neuroleptic units (n.u.). The data do not support the notion of a "therapeutic window", in that higher plasma levels were not associated with side effects or clinical deterioration (although at extreme plasma levels this must of course be so). In 11 nonresponders dosage could not be increased because of side effects. If a non-responder with troublesome side effects has a low plasma level (less than 40 n.u.), it would seem prudent to switch to another antipsychotic drug.

No abstract