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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
Published on: December 9, 2015
Glucocorticoid resistance
1Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Erzurum, 25240, Turkey. zerrinorbak@yahoo.com
Glucocorticoid resistance, a condition of end-organ insensitivity, often stems from mutations in the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha gene. This review explores glucocorticoid receptor functions and cortisol resistance characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are vital for maintaining homeostasis and are implicated in various pathologies.
- Glucocorticoid resistance is a rare condition involving partial insensitivity to these hormones.
- Mutations in the human glucocorticoid receptor alpha (hGRalpha) gene are a known cause of this resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and functional aspects of the glucocorticoid receptor.
- To evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of cortisol resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on glucocorticoid receptor structure and function.
- Analysis of clinical and laboratory data from patients with cortisol resistance.
Main Results:
- Mutations in the hGRalpha gene can impair signal transduction, leading to glucocorticoid resistance.
- Complete resistance is rare due to the essential role of glucocorticoids.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the glucocorticoid receptor is key to understanding glucocorticoid resistance.
- Further research into the clinical and laboratory characteristics of cortisol resistance is warranted.
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