Rapid Responses to Steroid Hormones: Exploring an Expanding Universe

For decades, steroid hormone biology has been largely interpreted through the lens of genomic signaling mediated by nuclear receptors. While this paradigm has profoundly advanced our understanding of endocrine physiology, it does not fully explain the remarkable diversity, timing, and complexity of many steroid hormone actions. Increasing evidence indicates that rapid, non-genomic signaling pathways, initiated by steroid receptors operating outside the nucleus, contribute substantially to these responses and represent an additional layer of endocrine regulation that is still far from being completely understood.Rapid steroid hormone signaling influences virtually every physiological system, including the immune, cardiovascular, skeletal muscle, and nervous systems, and is increasingly implicated in the onset and progression of cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Adding further complexity, steroid hormones act through an expanding network of receptors that includes not only the classical estrogen, progesterone, androgen, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, vitamin D, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptors (GPER), but also receptor isoforms, splice variants, and novel signaling partners, many of which are only beginning to reveal their specific biological functions.The rapid actions of steroid hormones provide a valuable framework for interpreting physiological and pathological responses that are difficult—or even impossible—to reconcile with the classical genomic model alone. Understanding these mechanisms is therefore essential not only for advancing basic endocrine research but also for identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic opportunities.Inspired by the 14th International Meeting on the Rapid Responses to Steroid Hormones (RRSH Napoli 2026), this Research Topic aims to explore the molecular mechanisms, physiological relevance, and pathological implications of rapid steroid hormone actions. By highlighting emerging concepts and unresolved questions, we hope to stimulate discussion and inspire further discoveries in a field that continues to redefine our understanding of steroid hormone biology. This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, and Perspective articles addressing the full spectrum of rapid and non-genomic steroid hormone signaling. We particularly encourage contributions covering, but not limited to, the following subthemes:• Steroid receptors in neurobiology, regeneration, and brain disorders: non-genomic actions in neuroprotection, myelin regeneration, neurodegeneration, and cognitive function.• Steroid receptors in cancer and therapy response: rapid signaling in tumor progression, cell plasticity, and resistance to endocrine and glucocorticoid therapies.• Steroid hormone receptors from cellular signaling to systemic regulation: integration of receptor signaling across the immune, cardiovascular, skeletal muscle, and metabolic systems, including vitamin D and immune regulation.• Genomic and non-genomic crosstalk: molecular mechanisms coupling and uncoupling nuclear and extranuclear steroid signaling in health and disease.• Steroid receptor signaling in epithelial physiology and disease: membrane-initiated and rapid actions in epithelial tissues, including the intestine and the tumor immune microenvironment.• Non-classical receptors and expanding signaling partners: GPER, receptor isoforms, splice variants, and novel interactors, and their specific biological functions.• Biomarkers and therapeutic opportunities: translation of rapid steroid actions into new diagnostic markers and druggable targets. Topic editors: Pia Giovannelli, Marzia Di Donato, Yves Jacquot, Martin Wehling Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82667/rapid-responses-to-steroid-hormones-exploring-an-expanding-universe