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Cortisol and Glucocorticoids
The vast majority of glucocorticoid activity in most mammals is from cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone. Corticosterone, the major glucocorticoid in rodents, is another glucocorticoid. Cortisol binds to the glucocorticoid receptor in the cytoplasm and the hormone-receptor complex is then translocated into the nucleus, where it binds to its DNA response element and modulates transcription from a battery of genes, leading to changes in the cell's phenotype. Only about 10% of circulating cortisol is free. The remaining majority circulates bound to plasma proteins, particularly corticosteroid-binding globulin (transcortin). This protein binding likely decreases the metabolic clearance rate of glucocorticoids and, because the bound steroid is not biologically active, tends to act as a buffer and blunt wild fluctuations in cortisol concentration.
This video in 30 seconds
This video explains cortisol and glucocorticoids. It describes cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, as providing the vast majority of glucocorticoid activity in most mammals, how it binds to the glucocorticoid receptor and moves into the nucleus to modulate gene transcription, and that only about 10 percent of circulating cortisol is free, with the rest bound to plasma proteins.
Key points
- Most glucocorticoid activity in most mammals comes from cortisol, also called hydrocortisone
- Corticosterone is the major glucocorticoid in rodents
- Cortisol binds the glucocorticoid receptor and the complex moves into the nucleus to modulate transcription
- Only about 10 percent of circulating cortisol is free
- The rest circulates bound to plasma proteins, particularly corticosteroid-binding globulin
Video Overview
This video presents “Cortisol and Glucocorticoids” — The vast majority of glucocorticoid activity in most mammals is from cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone. Corticosterone, the major glucocorticoid in rodents, is another glucocorticoid. Cortisol binds to the glucocorticoid receptor. Whether you are preparing for a procedure, studying the technique, or learning how a condition is assessed, the recording shows the process as it is performed in practice.
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Educational content only — not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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