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Receptor Pleiotropy

Meaning

Receptor pleiotropy is a sophisticated concept in endocrinology where a single type of hormone receptor, upon activation by its specific ligand, is capable of triggering multiple distinct and seemingly unrelated biological effects across various cell types or tissues. This multifaceted signaling allows a single hormone to coordinate a wide array of physiological processes, such as the action of the Vitamin D receptor in bone, immune cells, and the pancreas. Understanding this pleiotropy is essential for predicting the systemic effects of hormonal therapies.