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Receptor Function Tuning

Meaning

Receptor Function Tuning is the physiological and clinical process of modulating the sensitivity, density, and signaling efficiency of hormone and neurotransmitter receptors on target cells, thereby altering the cell’s responsiveness to its circulating ligands. This tuning is often more critical than merely adjusting hormone concentration, as a cell with high receptor sensitivity can achieve a maximal response with lower hormone levels. Clinical strategies aim to upregulate beneficial receptors and restore their optimal conformation, which is essential for correcting states of hormone resistance, such as insulin resistance. It is a sophisticated way to optimize the communication network of the body.