Steroid Hormone Receptors in Endocrine Physiology and Diseases covers the role of steroid hormones in human physiology and receptor activity in the pathophysiology of disease. The book discusses how these receptors can be used as therapeutic targets for the treatment of conditions from cancer to aging, offering immediate applications of biochemical principles into clinical applications such as diagnosis and treatment. This book is a valuable reference for graduate and postdoctoral scientists but is also ideal for medical students interested in the functional role of various steroid hormone receptors in a wide variety of endocrine related diseases.Steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) are known to play vital roles in normal physiology through the control of development, differentiation, metabolic homeostasis and reproduction. Due to their involvement in various pathological and disease conditions, SHRs are also important therapeutic targets in several disorders including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, hormone-dependent cancers, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Nuclear Receptors focuses on the structural analysis of nuclear receptors from the initial work using isolated protein domains to the more recent exciting developments investigating the conformational shape of full-length receptor complexes. The book also reviews the structure of key nuclear receptor co-regulatory proteins. It brings together, for the first time, a comprehensive review of nuclear receptor structure and the importance of receptor conformation underpinning allosteric regulation by different ligands (hormone, drugs, DNA response elements, protein-protein interactions) and receptor activity. The nuclear receptor superfamily, including receptors for steroid hormones and non-steroid ligands, are pivotal to normal physiology, regulating processes as diverse as reproduction, metabolism, the immune system and brain development. The first members of the family were cloned over 25 years ago, which heralded in the idea of a superfamily of intracellular receptor proteins that bound small molecule ligands: classical steroid hormones, vitamins, fatty acids and other products of metabolism. These signals are then transmitted through multiprotein receptor-DNA complexes, leading to the regulation of target genes, often in a cell-selective manner. The cloning of the receptor cDNAs also ushered in an era of unparalleled analysis of the mechanisms of action of these ligand-activated transcription factors.

This volume aims to describe a complementary range of molecular, cell biological, and in vivo protocols used to investigate the structure-function of nuclear receptors, together with experimental approaches that may lead to new drugs to selectively target nuclear receptor-associated diseases. The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily, Second Edition will benefit those starting out in the nuclear receptor research field as well as to more established researchers who wish to apply different methods to a particular receptor or research problem. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This volume aims to describe a complementary range of molecular, cell biological, and in vivo protocols used to investigate the structure-function of nuclear receptors, together with experimental approaches that may lead to new drugs to selectively target nuclear receptor-associated diseases. The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily, Second Edition will benefit those starting out in the nuclear receptor research field as well as to more established researchers who wish to apply different methods to a particular receptor or research problem. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Nuclear Receptors focuses on the structural analysis of nuclear receptors from the initial work using isolated protein domains to the more recent exciting developments investigating the conformational shape of full-length receptor complexes. The book also reviews the structure of key nuclear receptor co-regulatory proteins. It brings together, for the first time, a comprehensive review of nuclear receptor structure and the importance of receptor conformation underpinning allosteric regulation by different ligands (hormone, drugs, DNA response elements, protein-protein interactions) and receptor activity. The nuclear receptor superfamily, including receptors for steroid hormones and non-steroid ligands, are pivotal to normal physiology, regulating processes as diverse as reproduction, metabolism, the immune system and brain development. The first members of the family were cloned over 25 years ago, which heralded in the idea of a superfamily of intracellular receptor proteins that bound small molecule ligands: classical steroid hormones, vitamins, fatty acids and other products of metabolism. These signals are then transmitted through multiprotein receptor-DNA complexes, leading to the regulation of target genes, often in a cell-selective manner. The cloning of the receptor cDNAs also ushered in an era of unparalleled analysis of the mechanisms of action of these ligand-activated transcription factors.

This volume provides a brief resume of the history of testosterone research, from the early pioneers through to the most recent advances in the field. We discover how steroid hormones were first identified and how testosterone was shown to be essential for male development. Moving forward we explore how and where testosterone is produced, and how the body controls testosterone production. We then investigate the impact testosterone has on different body systems both during their development and function, and how perturbation of testosterone action is associated with disease. We complete our story with an exploration of the emerging roles of testosterone in clinical therapy, and the future potential for manipulation of the testosterone signaling system for human health benefit.