Receptor Structure and Steroid Function

The steroid receptors are members of a super family of soluble proteins having extensive sequence homologies [70, 71]. The family includes thyroid hormone receptors. 

Crystallographic data on over 1000 steroids or steroid related compounds provide information concerning preferred conformation, relative stabilities, and substituent influence on the interactive potential of steroid hormones. Conformational analysis of these data and comparison with ab-initio and empirical energy calculations indicate that the conformations observed in the solid state are at or near global minimum energy conformations and provide a useful basis for empirical models of structure-function relationships. 

Recent X-ray studies of enzymes for which steroids are primary substrates, steroid binding globulins, and fragments of steroid receptors with amino acids and nucleic acids are just beginning to provide additional insight into the nature of steroid receptor binding and macromolecular interactions, and the mechanism by which steroids exert their hormonal functions. 

Research supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant No. DK26546. The authors wish to express their appreciation to G. Del Bel, C. DeVine, S. Finken, P. Strong and M. Tugac for assistance in the organization and preparation of the manuscript. 

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