title: Corticosteroid-binding globulin: modulating mechanisms of bioavailability of cortisol and its clinical implications.
abstract: Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) is the principal transport protein of glucocorticoids. Approximately 80-90% of serum cortisol binds to CBG with high affinity and only about 5% of cortisol remain unbound and is considered biologically active. CBG seems to modulate and influence the bioavailability of cortisol to local tissues. In this review, we will discuss physicochemical properties of CBG and structure of CBG in the mechanisms of binding and release of cortisol. This review describes several factors affecting CBG functions, such as genetic factors or temperature. Furthermore, clinical implications of CBG abnormalities and the measurement of CBG and its use for assessment of free cortisol levels are described in this review.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Paul-List Strasse 13-15, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: yoonju.bae@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Yoon Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Paul-List Strasse 13-15, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kratzsch
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood*; D014156:Transcortin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014156:Transcortin; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Coolens equation; corticosteroid-binding globulin; free cortisol; mutation; reactive center loop; sepsis