title: Regulation of mineralocorticoid biosynthesis by calcium and the StAR protein.
abstract: In adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, the calcium messenger system is the major signaling mechanism activated by physiological stimulators of aldosterone production. We present here evidence for a dual site of action of the calcium signal: 1) Calcium influx into the mitochondrion is a prerequisite to the activation of steroidogenesis. This calcium entry leads to a rise in mitochondrial calcium concentration and to an increase in intramitochondrial cholesterol transfer and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein accumulation in inner mitochondrial membranes. 2) Calcium also exerts a genomic regulatory effect by activating transcription of the StAR gene.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology & Diabetology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cherradi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Brandenburger
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rossier
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Capponi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015384:Zona Glomerulosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium