Abstract
In the two decades since the discovery of the steroid hormone receptors, a great deal has been learned about their structure, their relationships with each other, and the target sequences (response elements) at which they regulate expression of specific genes. Analysis of receptor sequences has confirmed the existence of several domains with distinct functions in each receptor molecule, and has also indicated that the steroid receptors are members of a ‘superfamily’ which also includes receptors for vitamin D, retinoic acid, thyroid hormone and its related oncogene v-erbA, and a substantial number of ‘receptors’ whose ligands are still unidentified. The response element sequences are also closely related, and we are beginning to understand the interaction of the receptors with these response elements and with proteins bound nearby such as transcription factors. Certain naturally occurring genetic diseases have been identified with specific receptor mutations. The future promises greater understanding not only of the detailed action of the receptors of this superfamily, but of their precise role in fertility, development, and disease.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jensen EV, Suzuki T, Kawashima T, Stumpf WE, Jungblut PW, DeSombre ER: A two-step mechanism for the interaction of estradiol with rat uterus. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 59: 632–638, 1968
Gorski J, Toft D, Shyamala G, Smith D, Notides A: Hormone receptors: Studies on the interaction of estrogen with the uterus. Rec Prog Horm Res 24: 45–80, 1968
O'Malley BW, Means AR: Female steroid hormones and target cell nuclei. Science 183: 610–620, 1974
O'Malley BW, Roop DR, Lai EC, Nordstrom JL, Catterall JF, Swaneck GE, Colbert DA, Tsai M-J, Dugaiczyk A, Woo SLC: The ovalbumin gene: Organization, structure, transcription, and regulation. Rec Prog Horm Res 35: 1–42, 1979
O'Malley BW, McGuire WL, Kohler PO, Korenman SG: Studies on the mechanism of steroid hormone regulation of synthesis of specific proteins. Rec Prog Horm Res 25: 105–160, 1969
Evans RM: The steroid and thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. Science 240: 889–895, 1988
Payvar F, DeFranco D, Firestone GL, Edgar B, Wrange O, Okret S, Gustafsson J-A, Yamamoto K: Sequence-specific binding of glucocorticoid receptor to MTV DNA at sites within and upstream of the transcribed region. Cell 35: 381–392, 1983
Renkawitz R, Schütz G, von der Ahe D, Beato M: Sequences in the promoter region of the chicken lysozyme gene required for steroid regulation and receptor binding. Cell 37: 503–510, 1984
Jantzen H-M, Strähle U, Gloss B, Stewart F, Schmid W, Boshart M, Miksicek R, Schütz G: Cooperativity of the glucocorticoid response elements located far upstream of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene. Cell 49: 29–38, 1987
Tsai SY, Carlstedt-Duke J, Weigel NL, Dahlman K, Gustafsson J-A, Tsai M-J, O'Malley BW: Molecular interactions of steroid hormone receptor within its enhancer element: Evidence for receptor dimer formation. Cell 55: 361–369, 1988
Tsai SY, Tsai M-J, O'Malley BW: Cooperative binding of hormone receptors contributes to transcriptional synergism at target enhancer elements. Cell 57: 443–448, 1989
Klein-Hitpass L, Tsai SY, Weigel NL, Allan GF, Riley D, Rodriguez R, Schrader WT, Tsai M-J, O'Malley BW: The progesterone receptor stimulates cell-free transcription by enhancing the formation of a stable preinitiation complex. Cell 60: 247–257, 1990
Bagchi MK, Tsai SY, Tsai M-J, O'Malley BW: Identification of a functional intermediate in receptor activation in progesterone-dependent cell-free transcription. Nature 345: 547–550, 1990
Hughes MR, Malloy PJ, Kieback DG, Kesterson RA, Pike JW, Feldman D, O'Malley BW: Point mutations in the human vitamin D receptor gene associated with hypocalcemic rickets. Science 242: 1702–1705, 1988
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
O'Malley, B.W. Steroid hormone receptors as transactivators of gene expression. Breast Cancer Res Tr 18, 67–71 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01980968
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01980968