Receptor upregulation is a biological process where the number of specific receptors on a cell surface or within the cell interior increases, thereby enhancing the cell’s sensitivity to a particular hormone or neurotransmitter. This adaptive response is typically triggered by prolonged exposure to low concentrations of the signaling molecule. Clinically, this mechanism is often a therapeutic goal to improve the body’s responsiveness to endogenous hormones or prescribed pharmaceutical agents.
Origin
This term is a descriptive composite from cellular biology and endocrinology, combining “receptor,” the protein that binds a signaling molecule, with “upregulation,” indicating an increase in number. The concept arose from early studies on cell signaling that demonstrated the dynamic, feedback-regulated nature of receptor expression in response to ligand availability.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves an increase in the gene transcription and translation of the receptor protein, followed by the insertion of more receptor molecules into the cell membrane or cytoplasm. This increases the probability of a signaling molecule binding to the cell, effectively amplifying the cellular response to a low-level signal. In hormonal therapy, strategies may be employed to induce this upregulation to restore sensitivity lost due to chronic overstimulation or deficiency.
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