Work on the estrogen receptor and glucocorticoid receptor laid the foundation for the discovery of a family of receptors known as the nuclear receptors. Discovery of these receptors has expanded our understanding of many hormonal and nonhormonal substances, which act through the nuclear receptors. These receptors are actually ligand-binding intracellular transcription factors, which induce nuclear expression of specific mRNAs, leading to synthesis of specific proteins with biological activity. This review for the benefit of gynecologists and reproductive physiologists focuses on the work of 3 scientists who were pioneers in the work on the estrogen, glucocorticoid, and progesterone receptors, which has had a major impact on our understanding of reproductive physiology and on the field of nuclear receptors.
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