Hormone receptor

[3] Upon hormone binding, the receptor can initiate multiple signaling pathways, which ultimately leads to changes in the behavior of the target cells.

This binding is actually highly specific because of the complementarity of these interactions between polar, non-polar, charged, neutral, hydrophilic, or hydrophobic residues.

The hormone receptor interacts with different molecules to induce a variety of changes, such as an increase or decrease of nutrient sources, growth, and other metabolic functions.

Second messengers may also be sent to interact with intracellular receptors in order to enter the complex signal transport system that eventually changes cellular function.

This interaction causes the exchange of GDP for GTP, which triggers structural changes within the alpha subunit of the G protein.

[15] Hormone receptors can behave as transcription factors by interacting directly with DNA or by cross-talking with signaling pathways.

In the absence of ligand, receptor molecules bind corepressors to repress gene expression, compacting chromatin through histone deacetylatase.

[17] This is the mechanism through which receptors can induce regulation of gene expression depending on both the extracellular environment and the immediate cellular composition.

Steroid hormones and their regulation by receptors are the most potent molecule interactions in aiding gene expression.

For example, estrogen deficiency is a cause of osteoporosis and the inability to undergo a proper signaling cascade prevents bone growth and strengthening.

Deficiencies in nuclear receptor-mediated pathways play a key role in the development of disease, like osteoporosis.

[19] Water-soluble hormones come from amino acids and are located and stored in endocrine cells until actually needed.

Receptor-protein interactions induce the uptake and destruction of their respective hormones in order to regulate their concentration in the body.