Two orphans find a home: Molecular endocrinology
Article Abstract:
To qualify for membership of the superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors, a protein requires some homology to the DNA-binding or ligand-binding domains of a seasoned member. Most members are seen as orphan nuclear receptors, waiting for adoption by a ligand, although this is rarely successful. Forman and colleagues have now shown that the constitutively active receptor (CAR) is a constitutive androstane receptor for two steroids, which are able to switch the activity of CAR off.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Steroids tickle cells inside and out
Article Abstract:
A new study shows that progesterone, which is essential for pregnancy maintenance in mammals, inhibits oxytocin signals by reducing the number of oxytocin receptors available to bind oxytocin, a nonpeptide that induces uterine contractions. The study shows that progesterone binds to the membrane-bound oxytocin receptor, but it is as yet unclear how the non-genomic effect is achieved.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Allosteric effects of DNA on transcriptional regulators
Article Abstract:
Allosteric control of DNA regulatory-factor activity requires that DNA-binding and transcriptional-regulatory surfaces have a specific functional connection. Some transcriptional-regulatory domains do not act as autonomous modules but are sensitive to their attached DNA binding-domains (DBDs). DBDs can exert inhibitory effects on the cognate transcriptional-activation function.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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