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Non-Genomic Receptor Activity

Meaning

Non-genomic receptor activity describes the rapid, non-transcriptional cellular effects mediated by steroid and thyroid hormones that occur independently of the traditional mechanism involving nuclear receptor binding and gene expression. These effects are initiated when hormones bind to specific receptors located on the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm, triggering immediate intracellular signaling cascades, such as the activation of protein kinases. This rapid signaling pathway allows hormones to exert near-instantaneous effects on cell function, contrasting sharply with the slower, hours-long effects of genomic signaling. Understanding this activity is essential for appreciating the full, dynamic range of hormonal influence.