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Molecules acting on receptor level at weaning, durably influence liver glucocorticoid receptors

G Csaba1, Agnes Inczefi-Gonda

  • 1Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Acta Physiologica Hungarica
|July 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Late exposure to certain receptor-acting molecules can permanently alter liver glucocorticoid receptors in female rats. This hormonal imprinting effect depends on molecular structure and receptor family interactions, not receptor type.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Hormonal imprinting establishes long-term physiological changes.
  • Glucocorticoid receptors play a crucial role in cellular response to stress and metabolism.
  • Understanding how external molecules affect receptor function is vital for predicting health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the lasting effects of late-acting hormonal imprinting on liver glucocorticoid receptors.
  • To determine which types of receptor-level molecules can durably influence glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity.

Main Methods:

  • Weanling female rats were treated with five distinct receptor-acting molecules.
  • Receptor kinetic analysis was performed on liver glucocorticoid receptors four weeks post-treatment.
  • Evaluated effects of mianserin, Vitamin D3, benzpyrene, mifepristone (RU 486), and chlorpheniramine.

Main Results:

  • Mianserin increased receptor density but decreased affinity.
  • Vitamin D3 and benzpyrene elevated receptor density.
  • Mifepristone and chlorpheniramine were ineffective.
  • Effective molecules either shared receptor families, mimicked steroid structures, or had prior steroid receptor interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Foreign molecules acting at the receptor level can induce durable changes in glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity.
  • This phenomenon is not universal and is independent of receptor location (membrane or cytosol).
  • The effectiveness of imprinting depends on specific molecular properties and interactions, highlighting the need for caution with certain medications.

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