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Lipid-Based Hormones

Meaning

Lipid-based hormones are a class of signaling molecules derived primarily from cholesterol, characterized by their lipophilic, or fat-soluble, chemical structure. The major groups include steroid hormones, such as androgens, estrogens, progestins, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids, as well as thyroid hormones. Their fat-soluble nature allows them to readily diffuse across the cell membrane, enabling them to exert their profound effects by interacting with intracellular receptors and directly modulating gene expression.