Steroid hormones are organic compounds derived from cholesterol and contain rings in their chemical structures. Table 2 will provide examples of steroid hormone classes and corresponding hormones.
Table 2. Examples of steroid hormones. | Steroid Hormone Class | Example |
Glucocorticoids
| Cortisol |
| Mineralocorticoids | Aldosterone |
| Sex Hormones |
| Androgens | Testosterone |
Estrogens
| Estradiol |
| Progestogens | Progesterone |
These hormones are insoluble in water and therefore are transported using transporter proteins. As these non-polar molecules enter the cell, steroid hormones may cross the plasma membrane to bind to its target receptors on or inside the cell's nucleus. Upon binding, intracellular signaling pathways lead to increased transcription of gene products and protein synthesis.
