Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein: its presence and function in brain neurosteroidogenesis.
Neurosteroids are synthesized de novo and involved in a variety of physiological functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) plays an essential role in the steroidogenesis of peripheral endocrine glands, its presence and role in the brain had been previously questioned because of difficulties in detecting it. However, a number of recent studies have confirmed the presence of StAR in rodent and human brains. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that StAR plays a role in steroidogenesis in the brain, as it does in peripheral endocrine organs. The present review presents data regarding the presence and role of StAR in brain steroidogenesis, demonstrating the essential characteristics of the protein.
Kim
Hyun Joon
HJ
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Institute of Health Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, 92 Chilam-dong, Jinju, 660-751, Korea.
Kang
Sang Soo
SS
Cho
Gyeong Jae
GJ
Choi
Wan Sun
WS
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008954:Models, Biological; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein