An essential component in steroid synthesis, the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, is expressed in discrete regions of the brain.
Recent data implicate locally produced steroids, termed neurosteroids, as regulators of neuronal function. Adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis is controlled by changes in the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR); however, little is known about the regulation of neurosteroid production. We now demonstrate unequivocally that StAR mRNA and protein are expressed within glia and neurons in discrete regions of the mouse brain, and that glial StAR expression is inducible. Consistent with a role in de novo neurosteroidogenesis, StAR colocalizes with the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme P450(scc) in both mouse and human brains. These data support a role for StAR in the production of neurosteroids and identify potential sites of active de novo steroid synthesis in the brain.
King
Steven R
SR
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030-3498, USA.
Manna
Pulak R
PR
Ishii
Tomohiro
T
Syapin
Peter J
PJ
Ginsberg
Stephen D
SD
Wilson
Kevin
K
Walsh
Lance P
LP
Parker
Keith L
KL
Stocco
Douglas M
DM
Smith
Roy G
RG
Lamb
Dolores J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme