title: Localization of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in human tissues.
abstract: The rate-limiting step in steroid hormone production in the adrenal cortex and gonads, the translocation of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membranes, is mediated by the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). Heretofore, the localization of StAR in human adult and fetal tissues has not been defined. To this end, expression of StAR was detected in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens using a polyclonal antiserum raised against recombinant human StAR. Primordial follicles of adult ovaries did not contain StAR, whereas antral follicles stained intensely in the thecal layer, with occasional staining of granulosa cells. Corpora lutea were intensely stained, but with a patchy distribution. Corpora albicantia did not stain. A luteoma of pregnancy stained with patches of moderate intensity. Ovaries with hyperthecosis contained areas of intense thecal staining. An ovarian Leydig cell tumor stained intensely, whereas granulosa cell tumors were negative. Ovarian adenocarcinomas, borderline tumors, teratomas, cystadenomas, and a Brenner tumor displayed no specific StAR immunostaining. Testicular Leydig cells stained moderately to intensely, as did a testicular Leydig cell tumor. Sertoli cells stained weakly in some specimens. Seminomas and testicular germ cell tumors were negative. There was minimal to moderate staining in the adrenal glomerulosa and faciculata and minimal staining in the reticularis, while the medulla was negative. Adrenal cortical adenomas, hyperplasias, and carcinomas all contained areas of StAR staining. The renal distal tubules stained with moderate to marked intensity. Renal carcinomas had occasional modest staining. No immunostaining was found in the placenta. Fetal ovaries contained sporadic stromal cells displaying intense StAR staining, particularly in the hilar region. Oocytes from a 32-week fetal ovary showed moderate to intense staining. Fetal testes displayed intense Leydig cell staining. The neocortex of the fetal adrenal glands displayed only minimal StAR staining, whereas moderate to intense staining was found in the fetal zone. The fetal kidneys had moderate StAR staining of the distal convoluted tubules. We conclude that StAR is localized to normal and neoplastic cells in the gonads and adrenal cortex, which produce large amounts of pregnenolone. StAR protein was not detected in the placenta, documenting that placental progestin synthesis occurs through StAR-independent mechanisms. The presence of StAR in cells that do not express cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme cytochrome P450, including renal distal tubules, Sertoli cells, and fetal oocytes, suggests that StAR has roles in metabolic processes in addition to stimulating pregnenolone synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Furth
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Kallen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arakane
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiriakidou
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kozarsky
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein