Ontogeny of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD) in human adrenal gland performed by immunocytochemistry.
Human foetal adrenal plays a major role in the synthesis and secretion of steroids which are essential to several physiological events during foetal development. Since 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 5-ene-4-ene isomerase (3 beta-HSD) is involved in the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids, namely progesterone, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens and estrogens, knowledge of the ontogeny of 3 beta-HSD should lead to a better understanding of steroidogenesis in the foetal adrenal. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified human placental 3 beta-HSD were used to localize the enzyme in 22-week, 28-week, and term foetal adrenals as well as in the adrenals of 2-month-, 8-month- and 2-year-old infants. 3 beta-HSD has been identified in the outer cortex, neocortex and zona glomerulosa zone of foetal adrenal, respectively. In 2-month- and 8-month-old infant adrenals, the enzyme was localized in the zona glomerulosa and zone fasciculata while in 2-year-old infants, the immunoreaction was observed also in the zona reticularis, the medulla being devoid of any reaction.
Dupont
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MRC Group in Molecular Endocrinology, CHUL Research Center, Quebec, Canada.
Luu-The
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Labrie
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Pelletier
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G
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011375:Progesterone Reductase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013251:Steroid Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism*
C021425:3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase-delta(5) 3-ketosteroid isomerase; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D011375:Progesterone Reductase; D013251:Steroid Isomerases