Schaaf MJ & Cidlowski JA
Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid action and resistance.

J Steroid Biochem Molec Biol, 83(1-5): 37-48, 2002
ISSN: 0960-0760 The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PubMed)

Abstract
The actions of glucocorticoid hormones are mediated by an intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The mechanism of action of this ligand-inducible transcription factor is discussed, focusing on mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance. Three mechanisms are highlighted: ligand-induced down-regulation of the receptor, the dominant-negative inhibition by the beta-isoform of the receptor, and repression by the transcription factor NF-kappa B. It has been shown that these mechanisms can significantly inhibit glucocorticoid signaling, and could therefore seriously decrease the efficacy of glucocorticoids used clinically.