Expression of steroidogenic factors 1 and 2 in normal human pancreas.
Orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is crucial for development and function of steroidogenic organs. The steroidogenic factor-2 (SF-2) is an essential factor involved in cholesterol transfer and activation of promoters of steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1, CYP17 and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR). We have previously demonstrated steroidogenic activity in pancreatic tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SF-1 and SF-2 in human pancreas. Total RNA was extracted from normal male (five) and female (five) samples, obtained from the organs donor program. RT-PCR approach was used to analyze the expression of SF-1 and SF-2. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for SF-1. The bands of expression were present in both male and female samples, although differential expression was observed. For both factors, the signal detected was more evident in males than in females. A similar pattern was present in the immunohistochemical study. Normal human pancreas expresses SF-1 and SF-2 factors similarly to ovary and adrenals. A distinctive characteristic is the sexually dimorphic expression of these factors. Our data provide evidence suggesting that the pancreas achieves steroidogenic activity supporting the presence of gender- and location-related differences in the expression of these steroidogenic factors.
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga #15 Tlalpan, México DF, Mexico. Angelica170969@aol.com
Angélica
A
Morales
Felipe
F
Vilchis
Bertha
B
Chávez
Carlos
C
Chan
Guillermo
G
Robles-Díaz
Vicente
V
Díaz-Sánchez
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C515057:NR5A1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors