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Target Cell Response to Hormones

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...

Intracellular Hormone Receptors

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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

Internal Receptors

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.

Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors

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...

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

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:

Types of Hormones

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Hormones can be classified into three main types based on their chemical structures: steroids, peptides, and amines. Their actions are mediated by the specific receptors they bind to on target cells.

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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding

Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding

Published on: September 21, 2011

Helix 3-helix 5 interactions in steroid hormone receptor function.

Junhui Zhang¹, David S Geller

¹Section of Nephrology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8029, USA.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

|May 27, 2008

Summary

Steroid hormone receptors control homeostasis. A conserved helix 3-helix 5 interaction regulates receptor activity, offering new therapeutic targets for drug design.

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Reverse Yeast Two-hybrid System to Identify Mammalian Nuclear Receptor Residues that Interact with Ligands and/or Antagonists

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Molecular Biology
Pharmacology

Background:

Steroid hormones and their receptors are crucial for physiological homeostasis.
Understanding hormone-receptor interactions advances directed drug design.
A novel intramolecular interaction between helix 3 and helix 5 was previously identified.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of the helix 3-helix 5 interaction in steroid hormone receptor activity.
To explore the potential of this interaction for developing novel therapeutics.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on steroid hormone receptor structure and function.
Analysis of conserved structural motifs across the steroid hormone receptor family.

Main Results:

The helix 3-helix 5 interaction is highly conserved across steroid hormone receptors.
This interaction is a key regulator of receptor sensitivity and specificity.
The identified interaction is linked to a Mendelian form of human hypertension.

Conclusions:

The helix 3-helix 5 interaction is fundamental to steroid hormone receptor function.
Targeting this interaction may lead to novel agonists and antagonists for therapeutic purposes.