[Variations of membrane hormonal receptors induced by their ligands]

A great deal of research has been carried out on hormonal receptors and their quantitative variations, in particular, those which may be induced by their ligands. Insulin receptors, growth hormone, TRH and catecholamine receptors are already good examples of these variations. The authors have particularly studied angiotensin receptors which also vary with the plasma concentration of the hormone. Numerous questions of molecular biology are raised by these observations and are then discussed. The possible consequences of these discoveries on the physiopathology of endocrine diseases are finally discussed.