Receptor (biochemistry)

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(Redirected from Cell receptor)

In biochemistry, a receptor is a protein on the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm or cell nucleus that binds to a specific molecule (a ligand), such as a neurotransmitter, hormone, or other substance, and initiates the cellular response to the ligand. Ligand-induced changes in the behavior of receptor proteins result in physiological changes that constitute the biological actions of the ligands.

Contents

Overview

Image:Transmembrane receptor.png Receptors exist in different types, dependent on their ligand and function:

Peripheral membrane protein receptors

Transmembrane receptors

Metabotropic receptors

G-protein-coupled receptors

These receptors are also known as seven transmembrane receptors or 7TM receptors.

Tyrosine kinase receptors

Guanylyl cyclase receptors

Ionotropic receptors

Intracellular receptors

Transcription factors

Various

Role in Genetic Disorders

Many genetic disorders involve hereditary defects in receptor genes. Often, it is hard to determine whether the receptor is nonfunctional or the hormone is produced at decreased level; this gives rise to the "pseudo-hypo-" group of endocrine disorders, where there appears to be a decreased hormonal level while in fact it is the receptor that is not responding sufficiently to the hormone.


See also:

de:Rezeptor es:Receptor celular fr:Récepteur (biochimie) he:רצפטור nl:Receptor ja:受容体 pl:Receptor ru:Рецептор fi:Reseptorit sv:Receptor th:รีเซพเตอร์ uk:Рецептор zh:受体