Steroid hormones are known to increase the expression of specific genes in selected target cell types. For example, in the liver, testosterone increases the production of a protein called alpha-2-microglobulin (α2m), while hydrocortisone (a glucocorticoid) increases the production of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT). (Each hormone also does many other things). All steroid hormone receptors consist of 3 related, but distinct, protein domains: a hormone binding domain, a DNA binding domain, and a regulatory domain. How is it that testosterone and hydrocortisone can selectively influence the expression of two different genes in the same tissue?
Suppose you carry out a domain swap experiment to exchange the DNA binding domains of the testosterone receptor and the glucocorticoid receptor with each other. What effects would you expect the two hormones to have in liver cells containing the chimeric receptors?
Steroid hormones are known to increase the expression of specific genes in selected target cell types. For example, in the liver, testosterone increases the production of a protein called alpha-2-microglobulin (α2m), while hydrocortisone (a glucocorticoid) increases the production of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT). (Each hormone also does many other things). All steroid hormone receptors consist of 3 related, but distinct, protein domains: a hormone binding domain, a DNA binding domain, and a regulatory domain. How is it that testosterone and hydrocortisone can selectively influence the expression of two different genes in the same tissue?
Suppose you carry out a domain swap experiment to exchange the DNA binding domains of the testosterone receptor and the glucocorticoid receptor with each other. What effects would you expect the two hormones to have in liver cells containing the chimeric receptors?