Membrane steroid receptor

Membrane steroid receptors (mSRs), also called extranuclear steroid receptors, are a class of receptors that bind and are activated by endogenous steroids and mediate rapid, non-genomic signaling via modulation of intracellular signaling cascades. They are another means besides classical nuclear steroid hormone receptors by which steroids mediate their biological effects.

Known groups of mSRs include:

Ligand-gated ion channels such as the GABA_A receptor and the NMDA receptor bind and are modulated by neurosteroids such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), allopregnanolone, and 3α-androstanediol. Vomeronasal receptors bind and are activated by pheromones such as androstenone and androstenol.