Endocrine Abstracts

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Germline and somatic gene targeting of genes for steroid hormone receptor allows the characterization of their functions as well as their molecular modes of action. For the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) multiple modes of action have been identified. The receptor activates expression of genes, e.g. for gluconeogenic enzymes in hepatocytes, by binding as a dimer to glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) as well as by interaction with Stat5, functioning as a coactivator for DNA-bo...

The global epidemic of obesity has heightened the need to understand the mechanisms that contribute to its pathogenesis and also to design and trial novel treatments. Patients with glucocorticoid (GC) excess, ‘Cushing’s syndrome’ share many phenotypic similarities to patients with simple obesity. GC availability to bind and activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is controlled by the type 1 isoform of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1) that ...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) exert a wide variety of functions throughout the human body, including mediation of the stress response, regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory actions, vascular effects, increase of bone resorption, as well as effects on the development and function of numerous organs. The immuno-suppressive effects of GCs are routinely used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory or immune diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel d...