Steroid hormone receptors (SRs) (SRs)

Steroid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) represent a diverse group of ligand-activated nuclear receptors—including estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR), glucocorticoid (GR), and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors—which are widely expressed in neurons, glial cells, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelium (PMID: 23541362, 28612934). These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression programs essential for neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, and the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses (PMID: 30108486). In neurons, they influence neurotransmitter signaling and cell survival; in glia, they control the activation state of microglia and astrocytes; and in the BBB, they maintain the structural integrity of tight junctions (PMID: 25106610). Dysregulation of steroid receptor signaling is a hallmark of various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and major depressive disorder (PMID: 27155357). Pharmacological modulation of these receptors offers therapeutic potential for neuroprotection and anti-inflammation, although the challenge of achieving CNS-specific effects without inducing systemic hormonal side effects remains a primary concern in drug development (PMID: 24508345).

Other names

Nuclear steroid receptorsSteroid receptorsSteroid hormone receptor familySteroid receptors in the CNS

Steroid receptors function as ligand-dependent transcription factors. Upon binding to their specific steroid hormone, the receptors undergo a conformational change, dimerize, and bind to steroid response elements (SREs) in the DNA to modulate the transcription of target genes involved in neuroprotection and homeostasis (PMID: 28612934, 23541362).