Hormone Interactions with Receptors

Hormones are chemical messengers that interact with receptors present on the surface of a cell membrane or with receptors that are located inside the cell, in the cytoplasm (cytoplasmic receptors). This interaction gives rise to the effects hormones exert on target cells and organs.

Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands, which do not have ducts and secrete the hormones directly into the local blood stream which carries them to the various different tissues and organs in the body.

Types of hormone

Different types of hormones have varying chemical structures. While some are peptides or proteins composed of amino acids, others are steroid hormones derived from lipids. Some peptide hormones include a covalently attached oligosaccharide, in which case they are termed glycoproteins. The different chemical structures of varying types of hormones means they all have receptors with a specific shape, size and function.

Water-soluble hormones

Most water-soluble hormones such as glycoproteins and peptides combine with a receptor present on the plasma membrane because they are not lipid soluble and cannot move through the phospholipid cell membrane. As these hormone binds to their receptor, a cascade of reactions is triggered within the cytoplasm of the cell.

The integral membrane receptors usually function through the activation of secondary messengers inside the plasma membrane which carry out intracellular signal transduction to convey the effects of the hormones that cannot enter the cells.

Lipid soluble receptors

Receptors for lipid-soluble hormones such as the steroid hormones estrogen and thyroxine lie within the cytoplasm. These hormones need to enter the cell by crossing the cell membrane. Once bound, the hormone-receptor complex moves into the nucleus where it binds to specific DNA sequences and acts as a transcription factor, either increasing or suppressing the expression of certain genes.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2023

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Written by

Dr. Ananya Mandal

Dr. Ananya Mandal is a doctor by profession, lecturer by vocation and a medical writer by passion. She specialized in Clinical Pharmacology after her bachelor's (MBBS). For her, health communication is not just writing complicated reviews for professionals but making medical knowledge understandable and available to the general public as well.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Mandal, Ananya. (2023, July 14). Hormone Interactions with Receptors. News-Medical. Retrieved on December 21, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hormone-Interactions-with-Receptors.aspx.

  • MLA

    Mandal, Ananya. "Hormone Interactions with Receptors". News-Medical. 21 December 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hormone-Interactions-with-Receptors.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Mandal, Ananya. "Hormone Interactions with Receptors". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hormone-Interactions-with-Receptors.aspx. (accessed December 21, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Mandal, Ananya. 2023. Hormone Interactions with Receptors. News-Medical, viewed 21 December 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hormone-Interactions-with-Receptors.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Hormone therapy in early menopause proves safe but lacks cognitive benefits