Cited by 356Protein Interaction Studies and Fluorescence AnalysisEstrogen and related hormone effectsHormonal and reproductive studies

Plasma steroid-binding proteins: primary gatekeepers of steroid hormone action

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Hammond, Geoffrey L·2016·Journal of Endocrinology

Abstract

Biologically active steroids are transported in the blood by albumin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). These plasma proteins also regulate the non-protein-bound or 'free' fractions of circulating steroid hormones that are considered to be biologically active; as such, they can be viewed as the 'primary gatekeepers of steroid action'. Albumin binds steroids with limited specificity and low affinity, but its high concentration in blood buffers major fluctuations in steroid concentrations and their free fractions. By contrast, SHBG and CBG play much more dynamic roles in controlling steroid access to target tissues and cells. They bind steroids with high (~nM) affinity and specificity, with SHBG binding androgens and estrogens and CBG binding glucocorticoids and progesterone. Both are glycoproteins that are structurally unrelated, and they function in different ways that extend beyond their transportation or buffering functions in the blood. Plasma SHBG and CBG production by the liver varies during development and different physiological or pathophysiological conditions, and abnormalities in the plasma levels of SHBG and CBG or their abilities to bind steroids are associated with a variety of pathologies. Understanding how the unique structures of SHBG and CBG determine their specialized functions, how changes in their plasma levels are controlled, and how they function outside the blood circulation provides insight into how they control the freedom of steroids to act in health and disease.

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Authors
Hammond, G. L.
Affiliations
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Hammond, Geoffrey L
Venue
Journal of Endocrinology
Published
2016-07
Volume
230
Issue
1
Pages
R13-R25
ISSN
  • 0022-0795 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-6805
OpenAlex
W2343578093
Cited by
356
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 8
FWCI
2.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Society for Endocrinology
  • Canada Research Chairs
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Interaction Studies and Fluorescence Analysis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
Keywords
sex hormone-binding globulin, corticosteroid-binding globulin, albumin, steroid hormone transport, steroid binding affinity, glucocorticoids, androgens, estrogen, progesterone, steroid hormone action
MeSH terms
Animals, Estradiol, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Progesterone, Serum Albumin, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Testosterone, Transcortin

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