We previously reported evidence for two subpopulations of several classes of steroid receptors that could be distinguished by their requirement of a low molecular weight factor (Mr=700-3000 Da) for binding to nonspecific, calf thymus DNA-cellulose [Cavanaugh, A. H. and Simons Jr., S. S., Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 48, 433-446 (1994)]. This factor appeared to be enriched in (NH4)2SO4 precipitates of nuclear extracts. Using human progesterone receptors (PRs) and biologically active DNA sequences in a modified avidin/biotin-coupled DNA (ABCD) binding assay, we now report a factor-mediated increase in PR binding to specific DNA sites that was indistinguishable from that seen with nonspecific sites. The main advantages of this modified assay are that both kinetic and equilibrium binding of receptor-steroid complexes to DNA can be directly monitored in solution. The ability of either Sephadex G-50 chromatography or sodium arsenite to prevent that binding which is increased by added factor supported the existence of PR subpopulations that are independent of the acceptor DNA sequence. The factor was found, surprisingly, to be low concentrations (> or = 5 mM) of (NH4)2SO4, which anomalously is partially excluded from Sephadex G-10 columns, and can be mimicked by some salts but not sodium arsenite. Kinetic analyses demonstrated that the mechanism of action of salt was to accelerate the rate of binding of PR. Salt also had a much greater effect on the nonspecific binding of PR, such that the ratio of specific to nonspecific DNA binding was greatest at elevated salt concentrations (approximately 75 mM) that afforded submaximal levels of PR binding to specific DNA sites. Further analysis of the DNA-bound receptors revealed that the smaller, A-form of PR is preferentially bound to specific DNA sequences both in the presence and in the absence of various salt concentrations. Thus, the differences in DNA binding of PR +/- salt do not correlate with the preferential binding of A or B isoform. The unequal behavior of PR subpopulations and/or isoforms for binding to specific DNA sequences offers added mechanisms for selective transcriptional regulation of genes in intact cells.