Transcription factors receptors

Which of the following is a characteristic of chemical messengers that bind to intracellnlar transcription factor receptors ... 

In a condition known as testicular feminization, patients produce androgens (the male sex steroids), but target cells fail to respond to these steroid hormones because they lack the appropriate intracellular transcription factor receptors. Therefore, the transcription of the genes responsible for masculinization is not activated. A patient with this condition has an XY (male) karyotype (set of chromosomes) but looks like a female. External male genitalia do not develop, but testes are present, usually in the inguinal region. 

Another example is a recently discovered second mode of action by which nuclear receptors modulate transcription. In contrast to DNA-binding-dependent mechanisms, cross talk refers here to gene regulation by protein-protein-interaction of nuclear receptors with other transcription factors, such as AP-1 or NF-kB. Consequently, the nuclear receptor acts as a corepressor or coactivator of transcription. 

Cytokines. Figure 1 Inhibition of cytokine synthesis during activation of the specific immune system. The monoclonal antibodies Muromonab and Basiliximab are specific for the CD3 complex of the T-cell receptor, and for the IL-2 receptor on lymphocytes, respectively. Cyclosporin and Tacrolimus inhibit activation of cytoplasmic NF-AT, a transcription factor essential for activation of the IL-2 gene ( NFAT Family of Transcription Factors). Sirolimus interferes with mTOR signaling and inhibits IL-2 dependent proliferation. Red pharmaka, blue target proteins. 

PPARy is a transcription factor which controls the expression of enzymes and proteins involved in fat and glucose metabolism. More importantly, stimulation of this receptor induces differentiation of preadipocytes to adipose cells. It is believed that the formation of additional, small fat cells lowers free fatty acids and hepatic triglycerides, thereby collecting insulin resistance. 

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a water-insoluble cyclic peptide from a fungus composed of 11 amino acids. CsA binds to its cytosolic receptor cyclophilin. The CsA/cyclophilin complex reduces the activity of the protein phosphatase calcineurin. Inhibition of this enzyme activity interrupts antigen receptor-induced activation and translocation of the transcription factor NEAT to the nucleus which is essential for the induction of cytokine synthesis in T-lymphocytes. 

Thiazolidinediones (synonyms glitazones, insulin sensitizers rosiglitazone, pioglitazone) are a novel class of oral antidiabetic drugs that activate the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARy). Thiazolidinediones ameliorate insulin resistance in obese animal models and in individuals... 

---