Regulatory Actions of Glucocorticoid Hormones: From Organisms to Mechanisms.

The history of glucocorticoid hormone research is an excellent example of "bedside to bench" investigation. It started with two very insightful clinical observations. Thomas Addison described the syndrome of what came to be known as adrenal hormone insufficiency and Harvey Cushing the syndrome of glucocorticoid hormone excess. These dramatic and life-threatening conditions spawned 150 years of active research that has involved many disciplines; indeed some of the fundamental observations of molecular biology are the result of this work. We have a fundamental knowledge of how glucocorticoids regulate gene transcription, their major effect. The challenge facing current and future investigators is to discern how to use this information to make these powerful therapeutic agents safer and more effective.