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Ligand-Binding Domain

Meaning

The Ligand-Binding Domain (LBD) is a highly conserved, specific structural region located on a receptor protein that is responsible for recognizing and physically interacting with its cognate signaling molecule, or ligand. In the context of hormonal health, the LBD is particularly critical for nuclear receptors, such as those for estrogen and thyroid hormone, as it determines the hormone’s binding affinity and specificity. This domain acts as the essential molecular switch for initiating the subsequent gene transcription events that execute the hormonal signal.