[Functional domain structure of thyroid hormone receptor and interaction among T3, T3 receptor and T3RE]

Thyroid hormone receptor is a member of the c-erb A nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. As a ligand dependent transcription factor, it has functions such as ligand binding, DNA binding, transactivation and interaction with other factors. While each of these functions is ascribed to a certain region of the receptor molecule called a domain which can function independently of other domains, these domains cooperate with each other to fulfil the integrated receptor function as a signal transduction apparatus. Characteristics of thyroid hormone receptor which are distinct from those of steroid hormone receptors, such as the role of ligand in receptor function, heterogeneity in TREs, heterodimerization with TRAPs and the dominant negative effect, are described in the context of the integrated receptor function.