scholarly journals The potential function of steroid sulphatase activity in steroid production and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression

2004 ◽  
Vol 380 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teruo SUGAWARA ◽  
Seiichiro FUJIMOTO
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Expression Vector ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroid Production ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Steroid Sulphatase ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

The first step in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones is conversion of cholesterol into pregnenolone. StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory) protein plays a crucial role in the intra-mitochondrial movement of cholesterol. STS (steroid sulphatase), which is present ubiquitously in mammalian tissues, including the placenta, adrenal gland, testis and ovary, desulphates a number of 3β-hydroxysteroid sulphates, including cholesterol sulphate. The present study was designed to examine the effect of STS on StAR protein synthesis and steroidogenesis in cells. Steroidogenic activities of COS-1 cells that had been co-transfected with a vector for the cholesterol P450scc (cytochrome P450 side-chain-cleavage enzyme) system, named F2, a StAR expression vector (pStAR), and an STS expression vector (pSTS) were assayed. Whole-cell extracts were subjected to SDS/PAGE and then to Western blot analysis. pSTS co-expressed in COS-1 cells with F2 and pStAR increased pregnenolone synthesis 2-fold compared with that of co-expression with F2 and pStAR. Western blot analysis using COS-1 cells that had been co-transfected with pSTS, F2 and pStAR revealed that StAR protein levels increased, whereas STS and P450scc protein levels did not change. The amount of StAR protein translation products increased when pSTS was added to an in vitro transcription–translation reaction mixture. Pulse–chase experiments demonstrated that the 37 kDa StAR pre-protein disappeared significantly (P<0.01) more slowly in COS-1 cells that had been transfected with pSTS than in COS-1 cells that had not been transfected with pSTS. The increase in StAR protein level is not a result of an increase in StAR gene expression, but is a result of both an increase in translation and a longer half-life of the 37 kDa pre-StAR protein. In conclusion, STS increases StAR protein expression level and stimulates steroid production.

scholarly journals Role of Intramitochondrial Arachidonic Acid and Acyl-CoA Synthetase 4 in Angiotensin II-Regulated Aldosterone Synthesis in NCI-H295R Adrenocortical Cell Line

Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (7) ◽  
pp. 3284-3294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo G. Mele ◽  
Alejandra Duarte ◽  
Cristina Paz ◽  
Alessandro Capponi ◽  
Ernesto J. Podestá
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Steroid Production ◽  
Glomerulosa Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Export System

Although the role of arachidonic acid (AA) in angiotensin II (ANG II)- and potassium-stimulated steroid production in zona glomerulosa cells is well documented, the mechanism responsible for AA release is not fully described. In this study we evaluated the mechanism involved in the release of intramitochondrial AA and its role in the regulation of aldosterone synthesis by ANG II in glomerulosa cells. We show that ANG II and potassium induce the expression of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) thioesterase 2 and acyl-CoA synthetase 4, two enzymes involved in intramitochondrial AA generation/export system well characterized in other steroidogenic systems. We demonstrate that mitochondrial ATP is required for AA generation/export system, steroid production, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction. We also demonstrate the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases regulating acyl-CoA synthetase 4 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein induction, and hence ANG II-stimulated aldosterone synthesis.

Expression of steroidogenic proteins in bovine placenta during the first half of gestation

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Verduzco ◽  
Gilles Fecteau ◽  
Réjean Lefebvre ◽  
Lawrence C. Smith ◽  
Bruce D. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Chorionic Villus ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Bovine Placenta ◽  
Complementary Pattern ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Steroid Dehydrogenase

The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence and localisation of the principal steroidogenic proteins in bovine placenta from Day 50 to Day 120 of pregnancy. Immunohistochemistry revealed that, at all stages investigated, bovine steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P45011A1 and hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3β- and steroid δ-isomerase 1 proteins were found principally at the fetomaternal interdigitations: the chorionic villus and maternal septum. Moreover, caruncular epithelial cells and uninucleate trophoblast cells were the principal cells detected that were positive for the three markers. Western blot analysis showed that only caruncular tissue expressed all three steroidogenic markers; in contrast, cotyledons only expressed StAR and cytochrome P45011A1. Immunoblot results showed a complementary pattern of StAR and cytochrome P45011A1 expression between caruncles and cotyledons at different stages. These observations suggest that, in early pregnancy, the maternal compartment contributes significantly to bovine placental steroidogenesis, particularly for the synthesis of progesterone. Furthermore, the variation in StAR and cytochrome P45011A1 expression between caruncular and cotyledonary tissues across gestation suggests that placental steroidogenesis requires cell-to-cell communication between maternal and fetal cells.

scholarly journals Cyclic AMP-induced expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein is dependent upon phosphoprotein phosphatase activities

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
PM Jones ◽  
SB Sayed ◽  
SJ Persaud ◽  
CJ Burns ◽  
S Gyles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroid Production ◽  
Phosphoprotein Phosphatase ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Site Of Action ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

In addition to the well-documented role of protein kinases in the regulation of steroid production, phosphoprotein phosphatase (PP) activity is required for steroidogenesis. In the present study, we have used the mouse Y1 adrenocortical cell line to identify the site of action of PPs on steroid production by measuring the effects of PP inhibition on the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and on steroid production. Forskolin-induced activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) enhanced steroidogenesis and this was accompanied by an increased expression of StAR protein. Both steroidogenesis and StAR protein expression were inhibited by two structurally dissimilar inhibitors of PP1 and PP2A activities, okadaic acid and calyculin A. These results suggest that inhibition of PP1 and PP2A inhibits steroid production by preventing the expression of the StAR protein, implicating PP1/2A dephosphorylation reactions as important regulators of stimulus-dependent StAR protein expression, and thus of steroidogenesis.

scholarly journals GnRH agonist treatment decreases progesterone synthesis, luteal peripheral benzodiazepine receptor mRNA, ligand binding and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression during pregnancy

1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Sridaran ◽  
GH Philip ◽  
H Li ◽  
M Culty ◽  
Z Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Radioligand Binding ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Benzodiazepine Receptor ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Pregnant Rat ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

We have demonstrated that continuous administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-Ag) suppresses luteal steroidogenesis in the pregnant rat. We further demonstrated that the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) play key roles in cholesterol transport leading to steroidogenesis. The purpose of this study was to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the suppression of luteal steroidogenesis leading to a fall in serum progesterone levels in GnRH-Ag-treated rats during early pregnancy. Pregnant rats were treated individually starting on day 8 of pregnancy with 5 microgram/day GnRH-Ag using an osmotic minipump. Sham-operated control rats received no treatment. At 0, 4, 8 and 24 h after initiation of the treatment, rats were killed and corpora lutea (CL) were removed for PBR mRNA, protein and radioligand binding analyses, immunoblot 1-D gel analysis of StAR, P450 scc and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as well as 2-D gel analysis of StAR. The treatment decreased the luteal PBR mRNA expression at all time periods starting at 4 h compared with that in corresponding sham controls. GnRH-Ag also reduced, in the CL, the PBR protein/ligand binding, the StAR protein and P450 scc protein and its activity as early as 8 h after the treatment and they remained low compared with those in corresponding sham controls. The data from 2-D gel studies suggest that the majority of the decrease in StAR protein appears to be in the phosphorylated forms of StAR. Thus, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of PBR and StAR in the pregnant rat CL and that the coordinated suppression of these proteins involved in the mitochondrial cholesterol transport along with P450 scc by GnRH-Ag leads to reduced ovarian steroidogenesis.

scholarly journals Oxysterols regulate expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
SR King ◽  
AA Matassa ◽  
EK White ◽  
LP Walsh ◽  
Y Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Direct Conversion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mrna Abundance ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Steroid Synthesis ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Steroidogenic Cell ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein promotes intramitochondrial delivery of cholesterol to the cholesterol side-chain cleavage system, which catalyzes the first enzymatic step in all steroid synthesis. Intriguingly, substrate cholesterol derived from lipoprotein can upregulate StAR gene expression. Moreover, substrate oxysterols have been suggested to also play a role. To investigate whether oxysterols can regulate StAR expression, two steroidogenic cell lines, mouse Y1 adrenocortical and MA-10 Leydig tumor cells, were treated with various oxysterols and steroids, including 25-hydroxycholesterol (25 OHC), 22(R)OHC and 20alphaOHC. The majority of these compounds rapidly increased StAR protein levels within as little as 1 h. The most potent oxysterols were 20alphaOHC for Y1 and 25 OHC for MA-10 cells. After 8 h, StAR mRNA abundance also increased whereas there were no detected changes in promoter activity. Thus, in contrast to lipoprotein, oxysterols acutely increase StAR protein levels independently of mRNA abundance, and later increase mRNA levels independently of new gene transcription. Therefore, we propose that oxysterols modulate steroidogenesis at two levels. First, oxysterols may be important in post-transcriptional regulation of StAR activity and production of steroids for paracrine action. Secondly, through direct conversion to steroid, oxysterols may account in part for StAR-independent steroid production in the body.

scholarly journals Interleukin-1 inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis without affecting steroidogenic acute regulatory protein messenger ribonucleic acid or protein levels

1998 ◽  
Vol 156 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Lin ◽  
D Wang ◽  
DM Stocco
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Leydig Cell ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

The rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis is the transport of the substrate cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane which involves a cycloheximide-sensitive newly synthesized protein. A protein believed to carry out this function was recently cloned from MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells and named the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). In the present study, we evaluated the expression and regulation of StAR in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells. StAR mRNA was expressed in Leydig cells as two major transcripts of 3.8 and 1.7 kb and one minor transcript of 1.2 kb. Induction of StAR mRNA transcripts could be detected as early as 30 min after the addition of human choriogonadotropin (hCG) with peak levels attained between 2 and 4 h. hCG in concentrations of 0.1-10 ng/ml caused a dose-dependent increase in StAR mRNA expression. hCG administered at a dose of 10 ng/ml increased the 3.8 kb StAR mRNA level about 14-fold and the 1.7 kb StAR mRNA level about 13.6-fold. hCG-stimulated StAR mRNA was associated with increased StAR protein levels as determined by immunoblot analysis (a 4.5-fold increase). Murine interleukin-1 alpha (mIL-1 alpha) at a concentration of 100 ng/ml inhibited hCG-induced cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450 scc) mRNA expression and testosterone formation almost completely. Interestingly, mIL-1 alpha had no effect on hCG-induced StAR mRNA or protein levels. Furthermore, mIL-1 alpha (10 ng/ml) decreased conversion of (22R)-hydroxycholesterol to testosterone while the conversion of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione to testosterone were not affected. These results indicate that the major inhibitory effect of IL-1 on Leydig cell function occurs at the level of P450 scc.

scholarly journals Congenital Lipoid Adrenal Hyperplasia Caused by a Novel Splicing Mutation in the Gene for the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein

2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 946-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis A. González ◽  
M. Loreto Reyes ◽  
Cristian A. Carvajal ◽  
Jaime A. Tobar ◽  
Lorena M. Mosso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Cos Cells ◽  
Star Protein ◽  
Congenital Lipoid Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽  
Intron 1 ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Star Gene

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) plays a crucial role in the transport of cholesterol from the cytoplasm to the inner mitochondrial membrane, facilitating its conversion to pregnenolone by cytochrome P450scc. Its essential role in steroidogenesis was demonstrated after observing that StAR gene mutations gave rise to a potentially lethal disease named congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, in which virtually no steroids are produced. We report here a 2-month-old female patient, karyotype 46XY, who presented with growth failure, convulsions, dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and severe hyperpigmentation suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. Serum cortisol, 17OH-progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, 17OH-pregnenolone, and aldosterone levels were undetectable in the presence of high ACTH and plasma renin activity levels. Immunohistochemical analysis of testis tissues revealed the absence of StAR protein. Molecular analysis of StAR gene demonstrated a homozygous G to T mutation within the splice donor site of exon 1 (IVS1 + 1G&gt;T). Her parents and one brother were heterozygous for this mutation. In vitro analysis of the mutation was performed in COS cells transfected with minigenes coding regions spanning exon-intron 1 to 3 carrying the mutant and the wild-type sequences. RT-PCR analyses of the mutant gene showed an abnormal mRNA transcript of 2430 bp (normal size 433 bp). Sequence analysis of the mutant mRNA demonstrated the retention of intron 1. Immunolocalization of the StAR minigene product detected the peptide in the mitochondria of COS cells transfected with the wild-type minigene but not in those transfected with the mutant minigene. We conclude that this mutation gives rise to a truncated StAR protein, which lacks an important N-terminal region and the entire lipid transfer domain.

Von Hermaphroditos der griechischen Mythologie bis zu DSD der Moderne

Praxis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Oestmann ◽  
Mullis ◽  
Stanga
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Sich Eine ◽  
Fand Sich ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

Wir berichten über eine heute 34-jährige Frau, die im Alter von 6 Monaten wegen rezidivierendem Erbrechen hospitalisiert werden musste. Als Ursache fand sich eine Nebenniereninsuffizienz mit Verminderung sämtlicher Hormone der Steroidhormonbiosynthese. Die weiteren Abklärungen ergaben bei dem phänotypisch weiblichen Säugling eine lipoide kongenitale adrenale Hyperplasie mit 46,XY DSD. 24 Jahre später konnte in der DNS-Sequenzanalyse ein homozygoter, in der Schweiz vorkommender Basenaustausch des steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-Gens gefunden werden, welcher zu einem Aminosäurenaustausch Leucin 260 Prolin (L260P) führt.

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