Compare and contrast the modes of action of lipid-soluble and water-soluble hormones.

Lipid soluble hormones:

Lipid soluble hormones are hydrophobic in nature and contains hydrophobic signals. Their receptors are present inside the nucleus and some are limited to cytosol as well. The binding of the receptor to its ligand stimulates the synthesis of new protein. The binding of hormone response element binds to the enhancer region of DNA. Example: steroid hormones and thyroid hormones.

Water soluble hormones:

Water soluble hormones are hydrophilic in nature and contains hydrophilic signals. Their receptors are present on the cell membrane. The binding of the receptor to its ligand stimulates the signaling cascades mechanism. The binding of hormone to its receptor results in the activation of protein kinase and secondary messenger.