Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding
Published on: September 21, 2011
Steroid hormones: Interactions with membrane-bound receptors
1Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94141-9100, USA. hccl@itsa.ucsf.edu
Steroid hormones typically enter cells to bind nuclear receptors. However, recent studies reveal that membrane-bound receptors are crucial for steroid hormone activity and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Steroid hormones traditionally understood to permeate cell membranes.
- Intracellular interaction with soluble nuclear receptors is the established mechanism.
- Emerging evidence challenges this conventional view.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of membrane-bound receptors in steroid hormone signaling.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which cell surface receptors mediate steroid hormone effects.
- To re-evaluate the established model of steroid hormone action.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced cell imaging techniques.
- Employed biochemical assays to study receptor-ligand interactions.
- Conducted genetic manipulation of cell surface receptor expression.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated significant involvement of membrane-bound receptors in steroid hormone activity.
- Identified specific membrane receptors that influence steroid hormone metabolism.
- Quantified the impact of membrane receptor signaling on cellular responses.
Conclusions:
- Cell membrane receptors play a vital role in steroid hormone action.
- The traditional model of steroid hormone signaling requires revision.
- Membrane-bound receptors are key regulators of both steroid hormone activity and metabolism.
More Related Videos
10:51Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists
Published on: November 15, 2013
09:07Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
Published on: December 19, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Hormone Receptors
Internal Receptors
Internal Receptors
Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors
Similar to membrane-bound receptors, the binding of a ligand to the intracellular receptor of causes a conformational change in the...
Secondary Messengers in Hormone Action
Many hormones bind to transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors that connect to regulatory G proteins. These G proteins can then activate enzymes such as adenylyl cyclase or phospholipase C. Adenylyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP, activating...
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...