Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) recycles between an inactive form complexed with heat shock
proteins (hsps) and localized to the cytoplasm and a free liganded form that regulates
specific gene transcription in the nucleus. We report here that, contrary to previous
assumptions, association of GR into hsp-containing complexes is not sufficient to prevent the
shuttling or trafficking of the GR across the nuclear membrane. Following the withdrawal of
treatment with cortisol or the hormone antagonist RU486, GRs recycled rapidly into hsp …