The best replacement for receptor is effector.

The best alternatives to receptor are rated as following:
★★★★★  effector
★★★  ligand
★★  antibody
★  b-cell receptor
★  nicotinic receptor
★  b cell receptor
  mainstage
  receptor+
  cellular receptor
  an intracellular receptor
  nuclear receptor
  beta 2 receptor
  t cell receptor

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Speaking about receptor, one probably shouldn't forget about binding.

Other search terms related to receptor and their ratings are:
★★★★★ binding
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receptor
effector
ligand