Skip to main content

Receptor Regulation

Meaning

Receptor regulation is the dynamic cellular process by which the number, location, and binding affinity of cell surface or intracellular receptors are meticulously controlled in response to changes in ligand concentration or external stimuli. This homeostatic mechanism is essential for maintaining cellular sensitivity and preventing overstimulation or desensitization of a target cell. The two primary forms are upregulation, increasing receptor expression to enhance sensitivity, and downregulation, decreasing expression to reduce it. Effective hormonal health relies on precise receptor regulation to ensure tissues remain appropriately responsive to circulating endocrine signals.