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Receptor Coactivators

Meaning

Receptor Coactivators are specific nuclear proteins that bind to nuclear hormone receptors, such as the estrogen receptor or androgen receptor, only after the receptor has bound its cognate hormone ligand. These proteins function to enhance the transcriptional activity of the resulting hormone-receptor complex, essentially amplifying the hormonal signal within the cell nucleus. They are critical intermediaries that fundamentally determine the magnitude and specificity of a hormone’s ultimate effect on target gene expression. Their function provides a vital layer of regulatory control that is susceptible to modulation by various physiological and environmental factors.