Steroid Hormone

A Steroid Hormone is a lipid-soluble hormone that is a steroid derived from cholesterol that regulates physiological processes through nuclear receptor activation.

• AKA: Steroid Messenger, Lipophilic Hormone, Nuclear Receptor Ligand.
• Context:
  • It can typically be synthesized from Cholesterol through enzymatic conversions.
  • It can typically pass through Cell Membranes due to lipid solubility.
  • It can typically bind to Intracellular Receptors in cytoplasm or nucleus.
  • It can typically form Hormone-Receptor Complexes that act as transcription factors.
  • It can typically regulate Gene Expression through DNA binding.
  • It can typically have Genomic Effects altering protein synthesis.
  • It can typically exhibit Long-Lasting Actions compared to peptide hormones.
  • It can typically be transported by Binding Proteins in blood circulation.
  • It can typically undergo Metabolic Conversion in target tissues.
  • It can typically be metabolized in Liver and excreted via kidneys or bile.
  • ...
  • It can often have Non-Genomic Effects through membrane receptors.
  • It can often exhibit Tissue-Specific Actions based on receptor expression.
  • It can often undergo Local Synthesis in peripheral tissues.
  • It can often be converted to more active Metabolites in target cells.
  • It can often show Circadian Rhythms in secretion patterns.
  • It can often interact with other Signaling Pathways through receptor crosstalk.
  • It can often be affected by Enzyme Polymorphisms altering hormone levels.
  • It can often accumulate in Adipose Tissue due to lipophilicity.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Classical Steroid Hormone to being a Neurosteroid, depending on its synthesis location.
  • It can range from being a Natural Steroid Hormone to being a Synthetic Steroid Hormone, depending on its origin source.
  • It can range from being a Systemic Steroid Hormone to being a Local Steroid Hormone, depending on its action scope.
  • It can range from being a Low-Potency Steroid Hormone to being a High-Potency Steroid Hormone, depending on its receptor affinity.
  • ...
  • It can have a Four-Ring Structure characteristic of steroid molecules.
  • It can contain Functional Groups determining biological activity.
  • It can bind to Steroid Hormone Receptors belonging to nuclear receptor superfamily.
  • It can regulate diverse functions including metabolism, inflammation, immunity, salt balance, sexual development, and stress response.
  • It can be measured using Immunoassays, mass spectrometry, or chromatography.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Corticosteroids, such as:
    • Glucocorticoids, such as:
      • Cortisol, regulating metabolism and stress response from adrenal cortex.
      • Cortisone, a less active form converted to cortisol.
      • Corticosterone, important in rodents and birds.
      • Synthetic Glucocorticoids, such as:
        • Prednisolone, used as anti-inflammatory medication.
        • Dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid.
        • Hydrocortisone, used for hormone replacement.
    • Mineralocorticoids, such as:
      • Aldosterone, regulating sodium retention and potassium excretion.
      • Deoxycorticosterone, a mineralocorticoid precursor.
      • Fludrocortisone, a synthetic mineralocorticoid.
  • Sex Steroids, such as:
    • Androgens, such as:
      • Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone.
      • Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent testosterone metabolite.
      • Androstenedione, an androgen precursor.
      • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an adrenal androgen.
    • Estrogens, such as:
      • Estradiol, the primary female sex hormone.
      • Estrone, a weaker estrogen in postmenopausal women.
      • Estriol, prominent during pregnancy.
      • Synthetic Estrogens like ethinyl estradiol.
    • Progestogens, such as:
      • Progesterone, essential for pregnancy maintenance.
      • 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone, a progesterone metabolite.
      • Synthetic Progestins used in contraceptives.
  • Vitamin D Metabolites, such as:
    • Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D regulating calcium homeostasis.
    • Calcidiol, the storage form of vitamin D.
    • Cholecalciferol, synthesized in skin from sunlight exposure.
  • Neurosteroids, such as:
    • Allopregnanolone, modulating GABA receptors in brain.
    • Pregnenolone, the steroid precursor with neuroactive properties.
    • DHEA, functioning as neurosteroid in central nervous system.
  • Synthetic Steroid Hormones, such as:
    • Anabolic Steroids, promoting muscle growth.
    • Contraceptive Steroids, preventing pregnancy.
    • Corticosteroid Medications, treating inflammatory conditions.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Peptide Hormone, which are water-soluble and act through cell surface receptors rather than nuclear receptors.
  • Thyroid Hormone, which are amino acid-derived but act through nuclear receptors like steroid hormones.
  • Catecholamine, which are amino acid-derived and act through membrane receptors.
  • Eicosanoid, which are lipid hormones derived from fatty acids rather than cholesterol.
  • Cholesterol, which is the precursor but not itself a hormone.
  • Bile Acid, which are cholesterol derivatives but function in digestion rather than as hormones.
• See: Steroid, Cholesterol, Nuclear Receptor, Steroid Hormone Receptor, Endocrine System, Adrenal Cortex, Gonad, Sex Steroid, Corticosteroid, Gene Expression, Lipid Solubility, Hormone-Receptor Complex, Steroid Biosynthesis, Endocrine Disorder.

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References

2020

• (Wikipedia, 2020) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steroid_hormone Retrieved:2020-4-21.
  • A steroid hormone is a steroid that acts as a hormone. Steroid hormones can be grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex, hence cortico-) and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). Within those two classes are five types according to the receptors to which they bind: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (both corticosteroids) and androgens, estrogens, and progestogens (sex steroids). Vitamin D derivatives are a sixth closely related hormone system with homologous receptors. They have some of the characteristics of true steroids as receptor ligands.

    Steroid hormones help control metabolism, inflammation, immune functions, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics, and the ability to withstand illness and injury. The term steroid describes both hormones produced by the body and artificially produced medications that duplicate the action for the naturally occurring steroids.

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