Glucocorticoid Response ElementGlucocorticoid response elements are receptors in DNA. Glucocorticosteroids, when bound to cellular cortisol reseptors, translocate to the cell nucleus and bind to many glucocorticoid response elements in the target gene regions. Subsequent interactions with basic transcription factors cause an increase in the expression of target genes. In other words, the glucocorticoid response elements are triggered to increase expression of a gene by glucocorticosteroids; this is called transactivation.
But glucocorticoid response elements also can be used to repress expression of a gene; this is called transrepression. This is the mechanism by which inhaled steroids and other medications regulate and reduce an overactive autoimmune system to relieve symptoms of allergies and other autoimmune disorders. The problem is that glucocorticoids have a shotgun effect; they're hard to target to just the IL-2 gene that you want to target in most autoimmune disorders. This is why they cause side effects like weight gain; side effects caused by prolonged excessive gluticosteroids even cause their own syndrome: Cushing's syndrome. Current research is primarily aimed at finding more accurate glucocorticoids that target only response elements related to the IL-2 gene.
Cortisol, or hydrocortisone, regulates or supports cardiovascular, metabolic, immunologic, and homeostatic functions of the body, but it's most well-known for its dampening effects on the autoimmune system that make it an excellent treatment for asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders. Receptors for cortisols are found in cells in almost every form of vertebrate tissue.
Glucocorticoids, in particular, are the most important hormones in this class, which includes sex steroids and mineralocorticoids. They are also often referred to as corticosteroids.
Web Resources On Glucocorticoid Response Element
Steroid Hormone Receptors and their Response Elements
Response Elements
Book Resources On Glucocorticoid Response ElementPrinciples of Corticosteroid Therapy by Lin & Paget
Corticosteroids - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research by ICON Health Publications
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