The reported research results argue that gene pulsing regulated by glucocorticoid receptors is directly linked to varying levels of gene activity. According to the senior author, Gordon Hager, Ph.D., head of the Lab of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression in the Center for Cancer Research, NCI, "Ultradian secretion, described widely in mammalian species, induces a pattern of glucocorticoid receptor action that leads to transient pulses of gene transcription, rather than continuous expression. This insight opens novel approaches for the development of synthetic glucocorticoids."
The researchers conclude that, considering the wide therapeutic use of glucocorticoids for arthritis and even some cancer indications, further studies to replicate their results and follow-up studies in humans are clearly needed. Such studies will help to define the potential role of ultradian application of glucocorticoid receptor therapy.
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Reference: Stavreva,D.A., Wiench,M., John,S., Conway-Campbell,B.L., McKenna,M.A., Pooley,J.R., Johnson,T.A., Voss,T.C., Lightman,S.L., and Hager,G.L. Ultradian hormone stimulation induces glucocorticoid receptor-mediated pulses of gene transcription. Nat. Cell Biol. Online August 16, 2009. In print September 2009. Vol. 11, No. 9. Manuscript #NCB-H15221B.
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