Answer:
This is a pretty complex question with multiple parts to it. I will try to answer them and give a short explanation.
1. Steroid hormones are synthesized in the same cells where they function: False. Steroid hormones are produced in the adrenal glands, in the different portions of the gland. Each of them will go to different cells and produce their effects by directly binding to receptors on the cell´s nucleus, they do not stay to interact with the membrane of the cell.
2. Estrogen is a gonadocorticoid: True. Estrogen is primarily produced as a gonadocorticoid by the adrenal glands. They are part of the group of hormones that stimulate maturation of female body parts and maintenance of pregnancy when this happens. It also helps in the ovulation process.
3. Glucocorticoid receptors are membrane bound: False. Like all steroids, glucocorticoids, cross the plasma membrane and act directly on DNA by binding to receptors that cross into the nucleus itself.
4. Glucocorticoid receptors have a nuclear localization signal that is hidden until a glucocorticoid is bound: True. These receptors, known as GR´s (Glucocorticoid receptors) tend to be present in the cytoplasm and activate once a glucocorticoid crosses the membrane. These receptors will increase in number and carry the hormone towards the nucleus, where they will affect the DNA directly.
5. Two glucocorticoid receptors function as a homodimer: True. This is found the research done on how GR´s work to produce their effect. There has been research that shows they can work as heterodimers, but essentially, they work as homodimers.
6. Glucocorticoid receptors bind to GRE elements which are present on newly synthesized mRNAs. False. Essentially, and most simply, because glucocorticoids affect DNA, and the receptors will bind with DNA, not RNA.
