Ten years after: reclassification of steroid-responsive genes

Although several hundred genes are directly or indirectly regulated by steroid hormones, significant gaps exist in our understanding of the relevant mechanisms, particularly for those genes that do not directly bind intracellular receptors or that exhibit delayed changes in transcription rates upon receptor binding. To assist in defining the mechanism of action of steroid hormones, we are proposing that a standard nomenclature be adopted for classifying steroid-responsive genes, based upon whether the receptors directly bind to the target genes and the kinetics of the response. Three categories are proposed: primary response genes, delayed primary response genes, and secondary response genes.