Characterization of membrane receptor binding activity for cortisol in the liver and kidney of the euryhaline teleost, Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).

•Identified a high-affinity binding site for cortisol in liver plasma membrane.•Membrane receptors possess association kinetics distinct from intracellular receptor.•Pharmacological signature of membrane receptor is unique from intracellular form.•This is the first study to characterize a glucocorticoid membrane receptor in fish.