Abstract
Megalin is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) family. The plasma membrane-anchored LRPs serve as receptors for a wide variety of extracellular ligands, promoting their entry into cells by endocytosis of the receptor-ligand complex. In this issue of Cell, Hammes et al. (2005) show that resistance (insensitivity) to sex steroid hormones is encountered in animals lacking megalin. These data provide important insights into an endocytic mechanism for the uptake of sex steroids by mammalian cells.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Endocrine System / cytology
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Endocrine System / physiology
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Endocytosis / physiology
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Female
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Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood
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Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
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Humans
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Ligands
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Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 / deficiency*
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Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2 / metabolism*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / metabolism
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Vitamin D / metabolism
Substances
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Gonadal Steroid Hormones
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Ligands
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Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-2
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Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
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Vitamin D