Intracellular hormone receptors

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Receptor-independent mechanism for conferring specificity of glucocorticoid action. By converting cortisol (which binds the mineralocorticoid receptor) to cortisone (which doesn't bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor), 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase protects the mineralocorticoid receptor from the high circulating concentrations of glucocorticoids, thereby allowing specific responses to aldosterone in classic mineralocorticoid responsive cells.