Which of the following event(s) need to happen for the glucocorticoid receptor to activate a gene?

Question

Which of the following event(s) need to happen for the glucocorticoid receptor to activate a gene?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Glucocorticoid receptor activation requires ligand binding, receptor dimerization, and DNA binding to a GRE for transcriptional activation.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are intracellular nuclear receptor transcription factors that are activated by small lipophilic steroid hormones (glucocorticoids).
- In the inactive state GRs are often complexed with chaperones (e.g., Hsp90). Hormone binding induces conformational change, release of chaperones, receptor dimerization, nuclear translocation, DNA binding to glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), and recruitment of coactivators and the transcriptional machinery.

2) Step-by-step reasoning process
Step 1: A small effector molecule (a glucocorticoid hormone) diffuses into the cell and binds the ligand-binding domain of GR subunits. This is the initiating event that converts the receptor from inactive to active form.
Step 2: Ligand-induced conformational change allows GR monomers to undergo protein–protein interactions and form homodimers (dimer formation).
Step 3: The ligand-bound GR dimer translocates into the nucleus (if not already there) and recognizes and binds specific DNA sequences called GREs.
Step 4: DNA-bound GR dimers recruit coactivators, chromatin remodelers, and RNA polymerase II to activate transcription of the target gene.

3) Intermediate “steps” shown
- Hormone binding → conformational change/release of Hsp90
- Conformational change → dimerization (protein–protein interaction)
- Dimerization → nuclear localization and DNA binding to GRE
- Binding GRE → recruitment of transcriptional machinery → gene activation

4) Why the correct answer is correct
Each listed event is required sequentially: without ligand binding the receptor remains inactive; without dimerization the receptor cannot efficiently bind GREs as the DNA-binding conformation; without GRE binding no specific gene activation occurs. Therefore all three events occur as part of the activation pathway.

5) Why the other options alone are insufficient
- Protein–protein interaction (dimerization) alone cannot occur productively without ligand-induced conformational change.
- Binding the receptor to a GRE cannot occur until the receptor is ligand-activated and dimerized.
- Ligand binding alone doesn’t by itself activate transcription until dimerization and GRE binding occur.

6) Conclusion
All of the above events happen during glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene activation. This confirms the correct answer: “All of the above happen.”

Which of the following event(s) need to happen for the glucocorticoid receptor to activate a gene?Single choice

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