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Co-Regulator Proteins

Meaning

Co-regulator proteins are a heterogeneous class of nuclear proteins that modulate the transcriptional activity of DNA-bound transcription factors, particularly the steroid and thyroid nuclear hormone receptors, without directly binding to the DNA sequence themselves. These proteins act as essential molecular intermediaries, either enhancing (coactivators) or suppressing (corepressors) the transcription of specific target genes initiated by the hormone-receptor complex. Their sophisticated activity is crucial for fine-tuning the precise, cell-specific biological response to circulating endocrine signals, profoundly influencing metabolism and cellular differentiation.