Nuclear receptor
Nuclear receptor
The Nuclear receptor (pronounced: noo-klee-er ree-sep-ter) is a class of proteins found within cells that are responsible for sensing steroid and thyroid hormones and certain other molecules. In response, these receptors work with other proteins to regulate the expression of specific genes, thereby controlling the development, homeostasis, and metabolism of the organism.
Etymology
The term "nuclear" refers to the fact that these receptors are usually located in the nucleus of the cell. The term "receptor" is derived from the Latin word "recipere", meaning "to receive", which refers to the function of these proteins as receivers of molecular signals.
Function
Nuclear receptors have the ability to directly bind to DNA and regulate the production of proteins by gene transcription. This control of gene expression gives them a crucial role in controlling many different functions in the body, including cell growth and differentiation, immune response, and overall homeostasis.
Types of Nuclear Receptors
There are several types of nuclear receptors, including Steroid receptors, Thyroid hormone receptors, Retinoid receptors, and Orphan receptors. Each of these has a specific function and responds to different types of molecules.
Related Terms
- Steroid receptors: These are a type of nuclear receptor that respond to steroid hormones.
- Thyroid hormone receptors: These are a type of nuclear receptor that respond to thyroid hormones.
- Retinoid receptors: These are a type of nuclear receptor that respond to retinoids, which are metabolites of vitamin A.
- Orphan receptors: These are a type of nuclear receptor that were originally identified as receptors, but their endogenous ligand was unknown.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nuclear receptor
- Wikipedia's article - Nuclear receptor
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