title: Defects in insulin signaling pathways in ovarian steroidogenesis and other tissues in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
abstract: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age today. Women with PCOS often demonstrate defective ovarian steroid biosynthesis and present with hyperandrogenemia. Moreover, 50-70% of PCOS women are insulin resistant and hyperinsulinemic. Insulin acts on the ovary via its own receptor and interacts with gonadotrophins, modulating steroidogenesis. The precise role of insulin and the molecular mechanisms that take place are not yet completely explicated. This review will be focused on insulin's action on the ovary and other target tissues, describing the intracellular signaling pathways implicated in steroidogenesis and their defects in women with PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Section, First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens Medical School, 17 Ag. Thoma, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece. akandara@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamanti-Kandarakis
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Argyrakopoulou
authors.forename: Frangiskos
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kandaraki
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D013256:Steroids