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Receptor Conformation

Meaning

Receptor conformation refers to the specific, dynamic three-dimensional structural arrangement of a hormone receptor protein, which is the crucial determinant of its functional state and its capacity to bind a particular hormone or ligand. The precise binding of the hormone induces a critical alteration in the receptor’s shape, known as an allosteric change, which constitutes the essential initial step in initiating the intracellular signaling cascade that culminates in a biological response. This molecular precision is absolutely fundamental to the specific action of all hormones.