title: Pregnenolone synthesis in immature rat Sertoli cells.
abstract: It has been reported that testicular Sertoli cells can be induced to synthesize the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. StAR mediates the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis, which is the transfer of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Since Sertoli cells are thought to be unable to utilize cholesterol for the synthesis of steroids the role of StAR in these cells was questioned. In the present studies we have corroborated the induction of StAR protein in immature cultured Sertoli cells in response to either trophic hormone or cAMP analog stimulation. Further, we have shown that long term stimulation of Sertoli cells with cAMP analog results in the induction of P450scc enzyme and increased pregnenolone production. In this manner, the Sertoli cell may resemble its ovarian homolog, the granulosa cell, more closely than previously thought with regards to its steroidogenic capacity. Thus, StAR may play the same role in Sertoli cells as it does in other steroidogenic tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech Health University Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reinhart
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lukyanenko
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hutson
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Stocco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D011284:Pregnenolone; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme