Crosstalk between the glucocorticoid receptor and other transcription factors: molecular aspects

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007 Sep 15;275(1-2):13-29. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2007.07.003. Epub 2007 Jul 10.

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate cell fate by altering gene expression via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Ligand-bound GR can activate the transcription of genes carrying the specific GR binding sequence, the glucocorticoid response element (GRE). In addition, GR can modulate, positively or negatively, directly or indirectly, the activity of other transcription factors (TFs), a process referred to as "crosstalk". In the indirect crosstalk, GR interferes with transduction pathways upstream of other TFs. In the direct crosstalk, GR and other TFs modulate each other's activity when bound to the promoters of their target genes. The multiplicity of molecular actions exerted by TFs, particularly the GR, is not only fascinating in terms of molecular structure, it also implies that the TFs participate in a wide range of regulatory processes, broader than anticipated. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms involved in the crosstalk, on both current ideas and unresolved questions, and discusses the possible significance of the crosstalk for the physiologic and therapeutic actions of GCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / physiology*
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / analysis
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / chemistry
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / physiology*
  • Response Elements / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Transcription Factors