title: Steroidogenic factor 1 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic human tissues: Northern blot and in situ hybridization studies.
abstract: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), a tissue-specific orphan nuclear receptor, regulates the genes of several steroidogenic enzymes, Mullerian inhibiting substance, and the gonadotrophins. Also, this transcription factor is crucial for hypothalamic, adrenal, and gonadal organogenesis in the mouse. We recently cloned the human SF-1 (hSF-1) complementary DNA (cDNA) and now report the distribution of this factor's messenger RNA (mRNA) in human tissues. Northern blot analyses of peripheral tissues revealed high hSF-1 mRNA expression in the adrenal cortex and the gonads, but no hSF-1 mRNA was detected in the placenta. High hSF-1 mRNA expression also was seen in the spleen. In this tissue, in addition to the main transcript of 3.5-4 kb seen in the adrenal and gonads, two additional transcripts of 4.4 kb and 8 kb were noted. The additional 4.4-kb transcript also was seen in several peripheral tissues and various components of the brain. However, adult liver and heart showed only the 4.4-kb transcript. In the human brain, hSF-1 mRNA expression was widespread, including several components of the limbic system. In situ hybridization studies confirmed the strong expression of hSF-1 mRNA in adrenal cortex, ovary, testis, and the spleen, primarily within reticuloendothelial cells. Thus, in the human, the hSF1 mRNA is present in both steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic tissues, albeit not in the placenta. In the central nervous system, the expression of hSF-1 mRNA is widespread. It is composed of several different mRNA species distributed in a tissue-specific fashion. These findings suggest that hSF-1 may play a role in reticuloendothelial/immune cell maturation and/or function, as well as nervous system development and/or neurosteroid biosynthesis.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ramayya
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kino
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Segars
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bondy
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051717:Fushi Tarazu Transcription Factors; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C515057:NR5A1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; C515058:steroidogenic factor 1, mouse