Hormone receptors

Hormone receptors are a group of proteins that have a binding site for a specific hormone. They are found on the surface of cells, in the cytoplasm, or in the nucleus. The binding of the hormone to its receptor triggers a series of events within the cell that lead to the cell's response to the hormone.

Types of Hormone Receptors

There are two main types of hormone receptors: intracellular receptors and membrane receptors.

Intracellular Receptors

Intracellular receptors are located inside the cell, either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus. Hormones that bind to intracellular receptors must be able to cross the cell membrane. These hormones are typically lipid-soluble, such as steroid hormones and thyroid hormones.

Membrane Receptors

Membrane receptors, also known as cell surface receptors, are located on the outer surface of the cell. Hormones that bind to membrane receptors do not need to cross the cell membrane. These hormones are typically water-soluble, such as peptide hormones and amine hormones.

Function of Hormone Receptors

The function of hormone receptors is to recognize and bind to specific hormones. When a hormone binds to its receptor, it triggers a series of events within the cell that lead to the cell's response to the hormone. This process is known as signal transduction.

Clinical Significance

Hormone receptors play a crucial role in many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and thyroid disorders. For example, in some types of breast cancer, the cancer cells have an abundance of estrogen receptors, which allows them to grow and multiply in response to estrogen. Drugs that block the estrogen receptors can be used to treat this type of breast cancer.

See Also

• Endocrinology
• Hormones
• Signal transduction

References

Hormone receptors Resources
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