cortisol signaling pathway Cortisol, also known as hydrocortisone, is the most important glucocorticoid. Cortisol signaling, via binding to the glucocorticoid receptor present in almost every animal cell, is essential for many cellular and physiological functions. PID:200030 PW:0000569 pathway transcription factor mediated signaling pathway glucocorticoid signaling pathway transcription pathway via transcription factor mediated signaling