Skip to main content

Constitutive Receptor Activity

Meaning

Constitutive Receptor Activity describes the inherent, ligand-independent signaling capacity of a receptor, meaning the receptor is partially active and transmitting signals even in the complete absence of its specific endogenous hormone or neurotransmitter. This basal activity level is an intrinsic physicochemical property of the receptor protein structure and its natural coupling to downstream effector molecules. Clinically, recognizing this baseline activity is crucial, as certain therapeutic agents, specifically inverse agonists, can act to reduce this intrinsic signaling below the basal level. This phenomenon is a fundamental consideration in modern pharmacology and endocrinology.