Steroid receptor action

Jan J Brosens1, Jennifer Tullet, Rana Varshochi

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK. j.brosens@imperial.ac.uk

Insights

Ovarian hormones oestradiol and progesterone, via oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), regulate gene expression. Their actions involve complex interactions with co-activators, co-repressors, and signalling pathways, influencing ovarian and uterine functions.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Ovarian hormones, oestradiol and progesterone, are critical regulators of reproductive functions.
  • These hormones primarily act through specific nuclear receptors: oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying hormone action in target cells.
  • To highlight the diversity of factors modulating cellular responses to hormonal signals.
  • To emphasize the roles of ER and PR in ovarian and uterine physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on nuclear receptor function and gene regulation.
  • Analysis of the interaction between steroid hormone receptors and other transcription factors.
  • Examination of cytoplasmic signalling pathways influencing receptor activity.

Main Results:

  • Oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are ligand-dependent transcription factors.
  • Receptor activation involves binding to gene promoter regions and recruitment of co-regulators.
  • Gene transcription modulation is influenced by interactions with other transcription factors and signalling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular response to ovarian hormones is determined by a complex interplay of factors.
  • Oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) play pivotal roles in regulating ovarian and uterine functions through intricate molecular mechanisms.

Related Concept Videos

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Intracellular Hormone Receptors01:08

Intracellular Hormone Receptors

Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell
Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors01:07

Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors

Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors that reside within the cell cytoplasm or nucleus. Many mammalian steroid hormones and nitric oxide (NO) gas use this cell signaling mechanism.
Similar to membrane-bound receptors, the binding of a ligand to the intracellular receptor of causes a conformational change in the...
Internal Receptors01:31

Internal Receptors

Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and therefore cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind to internal, or intracellular, receptors that reside within the cell. Many mammalian steroid hormones use this mechanism of cell signaling, as does nitric oxide (NO) gas.
Signal Transduction: Overview01:26

Signal Transduction: Overview

Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Target Cell Response to Hormones01:22

Target Cell Response to Hormones

Hormones intricately bind to receptors on the surface or within target cells, initiating a cascade of cellular responses.
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...