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Coregulator Proteins

Meaning

Coregulator proteins are essential nuclear factors that do not directly bind to DNA but are recruited by hormone-activated nuclear receptors to either enhance (coactivators) or suppress (corepressors) the transcription of specific target genes. These proteins act as molecular bridges, linking the hormone-receptor complex to the general transcriptional machinery, thereby fine-tuning the endocrine signal’s intensity and specificity. Their functional status is a critical determinant of cellular response to circulating hormones, explaining variability in clinical outcomes even with similar hormone concentrations. They represent a key regulatory layer in the genomic action of steroid and thyroid hormones.