title: Glucocorticoid receptor mutants: man-made tools for functional research.
abstract: The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that can bind to glucocorticoids (GCs). Upon ligand binding, GR sheds its cytoplasmic chaperoning complex and translocates to the nucleus, where it can act as a ligand-dependent transcription factor, transactivating or transrepressing specific gene promoters. Often, GR interacts with specific cofactors to implement a variety of gene promoter effects. GR activity and function is further modulated by post-translational modifications. To assess the diverse aspects of GR mechanisms of activation and gene regulation, researchers continue to use a range of artificial GR mutants. In this review we analyze the characteristics of GR mutants with the aim of assisting the design and interpretation of GR mutant-based experiments.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Eukaryotic Gene Expression and Signal Transduction (LEGEST), Department of Physiology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. Ilse.Beck@ugent.be
authors.forename: Ilse M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Karolien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Bosscher
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haegeman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid