Intracellular localization and transcriptional activation by the human glucocorticoid receptor-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins

Abstract

The initial event during cellular response to glucocorticoid hormone is rapid nuclear transfer of the cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In order to monitor this process in a single living cell, we employed green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged GR to visuallize intracellular localization and trafficking of the receptor protein in response to ligand. Making a series of deletion GR mutants labeled with the improved GFP mutant, we mapped the intracellular localization signals on the GR protein. In addition, we provide evidence that screening of GR ligands is possible within a single cell.