The synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, binds to, and activates the glucocorticoid receptor. Which of the following activities of the glucocorticoid receptor is the most likely even after dexamethasone is eliminated from the body?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dexamethasone induces the expression of certain proteins through the glucocorticoid receptor, and these proteins can remain functional even after the drug is eliminated from the body.  Glucocorticoids are members of the steroid or thyroid family of molecules that function by binding to intracellular receptors. Upon ligand binding the steroid hormone receptors migrate to the nucleus where the DNA-binding domain in the receptor binds to specific sequences in target genes. Activation of target genes results in increased expression of the proteins encoded by the responsive genes and some of these proteins may exhibit a prolonged half-life such that they will be present after the initial stimulus (dexamethasone) is removed.

The Synthetic Glucocorticoid, Dexamethasone, Binds To, and Activates the Glucocorticoid