title: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases are involved in the acute activation of steroidogenesis in immature rat Leydig cells by human chorionic gonadotropin.
abstract: We studied the involvement of the ERK cascade in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced steroidogenesis by primary cultures of immature rat Leydig cells. Our findings indicate that protein kinase A and protein kinase C function as upstream kinases in connection with transduction of the signal from the gonadotropin receptor to the ERK cascade. These MAPKs enhance the stimulatory effects of hCG on the de novo synthesis of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and the activity of protein phosphatase 2A, which are associated with increased androgen production by the Leydig cell. Specific inhibition of ERK1/2 by Uo126 suppressed all of these cellular responses to hCG. In contrast, steroidogenesis from 22OHC (a cell-permeable form of cholesterol) is not inhibited by Uo126, suggesting that cholesterol delivery to mitochondria is being affected by this compound. We propose that the ERK cascade is an important part of the signal transduction pathway involved in the rapid hormonal responses of Leydig cells to trophic hormones. In hCG-activated Leydig cells, these MAPKs may play a role in controlling the biosynthesis of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein as well as regulating protein phosphatase 2A activity, thereby governing cholesterol transport across the mitochondrial membrane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Woman and Child Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Q2:08, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, S-17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martinelle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Söder
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Svechnikov
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D054648:Protein Phosphatase 2; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013997:Time Factors; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D002070:Butadienes; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C113580:U 0126; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013739:Testosterone; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; D054648:Protein Phosphatase 2