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Receptor Downregulation Theory

Meaning

Receptor Downregulation Theory posits that prolonged, excessive exposure of a target cell to a specific hormone or neurotransmitter leads to a compensatory reduction in the number or sensitivity of its surface receptors. This homeostatic mechanism is the cell’s attempt to protect itself from overstimulation, effectively muting the signal to maintain cellular stability. While initially adaptive, chronic downregulation can result in a state of functional resistance, where normal hormone levels fail to elicit the appropriate biological response, thereby contributing to systemic dysregulation and clinical symptoms.