Estrogen, Androgen, Progesterone, and Glucocorticoid Receptors

Steroid hormone receptors are a group of structurally and functionally related nuclear receptors that mediate the effects of steroid hormones such as estrogens, androgens, progesterone, and glucocorticoids. These receptors act as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulating gene expression in response to hormone binding. Each receptor consists of several modular domains: a variable N-terminal domain, a highly conserved DNA-binding domain with zinc finger motifs, a flexible hinge region, and a ligand-binding domain that recognizes specific hormones[7][3][5][8]. Upon steroid hormone binding, these receptors typically dimerize, translocate to the nucleus (if not already nuclear), bind to specific DNA sequences known as hormone response elements, and regulate target gene transcription. Differences in ligand specificity and receptor conformation underpin both their physiological roles (such as sexual differentiation, metabolic control, stress response) and their prominence as drug targets in a wide range of diseases, especially cancers and endocrine disorders[3][5][2][4]. Note: Best practice is to record these as four distinct canonical entries (“Estrogen receptor,” “Androgen receptor,” “Progesterone receptor,” and “Glucocorticoid receptor”), rather than a single mixed group.

Other names

Steroid hormone receptorsNuclear hormone receptorsSHRsERARPRGR

Agonists: mimic natural ligands, activating gene expression. Antagonists: block hormone binding, preventing receptor activation. Selective modulators: tissue-specific agonism/antagonism (e.g., SERMs for ER). Down-regulators: promote receptor degradation or prevent its dimerization.