IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Anilkumar Gopinathan; Nishita Lal

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2017

NUCLEAR RECEPTORS, A PARADIGM OF IMPORTANCE FOR UNDERSTANDING HORMONE ACTION IN INVERTEBRATES: AN OVERVIEW ON CRUSTACEANS

Anilkumar Gopinathan, Nishita Lal

Abstract :

Nuclear receptors (NRs), comprising a distinct ‘cohort’ of (protein) molecules, belonging to the Nuclear Receptor superfamily, are suggested to play key role in mediating between the hormone molecule and the target tissue. NRs are known to bind with smaller molecules – the ligands –such as steroids, retinoids, vitamins, terpenoids and farnesol metabolites; the hormone–receptor complex, then moves towards the hormone response element (HRE) situated in the target gene, to effect hormone action. However, notwithstanding the considerable literature available with respect to verteates, our understanding on the exact role of receptor proteins in signalling and eliciting the response at molecular level is too fragmentary in inverteates (excepting perhaps in insects). Significantly, inverteates in general are suggested to rely on NR for eliciting the hormone response. However, we have only scanty information on the exact mechanism involved in hormone action with respect to non–insect inverteates. At this juncture, we review the status of our knowledge on the structural and functional aspects of NRs of crustaceans, a phylogenetic ally of insects, and which are important organisms both from academic standpoints and applied research. < clear="all" style="page–eak–before:auto; mso–eak–type:section–eak" />

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