Fishing at the Cell Surface

Some of the cellular effects of steroid hormones are too rapid to be mediated by nuclear steroid receptors that directly alter gene transcription. In his Perspective, [Maller][1] discusses new work (published elsewhere) that identifies a distinct class of steroid receptor associated with the plasma membrane. This new class of steroid receptor exerts its effects via cell signaling pathways rather than by direct alteration of gene transcription. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/300/5619/594