Transcriptional regulation of adrenocortical steroidogenic gene expression.
By serving as ligands for nuclear and plasma membrane receptors, steroid hormones are key regulators of a diverse array of physiological processes. These hormones are synthesized from cholesterol in tissues such as the adrenal cortex, ovaries, testes, and placenta. Because steroid hormones control the expression of numerous genes, steroidogenic cells utilize multiple mechanisms that ensure tight control of the synthesis of these molecules. This review will give an overview of the molecular mechanisms by which the expression of steroidogenic genes is regulated in the human adrenal cortex.
Sewer
Marion B
MB
School of Biology and Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0230, USA. marion.sewer@biology.gatech.edu
Dammer
Eric B
EB
Jagarlapudi
Srinath
S
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics