Glucocorticoid
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones made in our adrenal glands. They bind to cell receptors.[1] Glucocorticoids regulate glucose metabolism.
GCs are part of the feedback system for the immune system. They do things like reducing inflammation. They stimulate the creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbons, such as proteins.
They are important in foetal development, promoting the maturing of the lungs, and are essential for brain development.
More details
Glucocorticoids bind to the glucocorticoid receptor on cells. The newly formed complex moves into the cell nucleus, where it binds to a region on the target genes. This regulates gene expression. This process is referred to as transcriptional activation, or transactivation.[2]
The proteins encoded by these up-regulated genes have a wide range of effects, including, for example:[2]
- immunological: anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation or swelling)
- metabolic: makes more glucose
A variety of synthetic glucocortisoids have been developed for medical use. In addition to the above two purposes, glucocorticoids play important roles in foetal development, and body fluid homeostasis.
Glucocorticoid Media
Steroidogenesis showing glucocorticoids in green ellipse at right with the primary example being cortisol It is not a strictly bounded group, but a continuum of structures with increasing glucocorticoid effect.
A graphical representation of the Yerkes-Dodson curve
Dexamethasone – a synthetic glucocorticoid binds more powerfully to the glucocorticoid receptor than cortisol does. Dexamethasone is based on the cortisol structure but differs at three positions (extra double bond in the A-ring between carbons 1 and 2 and addition of a 9-α-fluoro group and a 16-α-methyl substituent).
Corticosteroid resistance mechanisms
References
- ↑ Pelt AC (2011). Glucocorticoids: effects, action mechanisms, and therapeutic uses. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science. ISBN 978-1617287589.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Newton R, Holden NS (Oct 2007). "Separating transrepression and transactivation: a distressing divorce for the glucocorticoid receptor?". Molecular Pharmacology. 72 (4): 799–809. doi:10.1124/mol.107.038794. PMID 17622575. S2CID 52803631.