Differential expression of steroidogenic factors 1 and 2, cytochrome p450scc, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in human pancreas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the 4 gene transcripts, steroidogenic factors 1 (SF-1) and 2 (SF-2), steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), and cytochrome P450 11A1, involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones in normal human pancreas.


METHODS
Total RNA was extracted from normal male (n = 5) and female (n = 5) samples, obtained from the organ donor program. The expression levels of SF-1, SF-2, StAR protein, and P450scc were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and complemented with immunohistochemistry analysis.


RESULTS
Polymerase chain reaction products amplification for all genes was present in both male and female samples, although differential expression was observed. The signals detected were much more evident in male than in female messenger RNA isolates for SF-1, SF-2, and StAR protein. The expression for P450scc was more intense in female samples. A similar pattern was observed in the immunohistochemical studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal human pancreas expresses 4 gene transcripts involved in steroid synthesis similarly to steroidogenic organs. A distinctive characteristic is the sexually dimorphic expression of these factors. These data provide further evidence to support that the pancreas is a truly steroidogenic tissue, highlighting the presence of sex- and location-related differences in the expression of steroidogenic factors.
Morales
Angélica
A
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, México. amorales@quetzal.innsz.mx
Vilchis
Felipe
F
Chávez
Bertha
B
Morimoto
Sumiko
S
Chan
Carlos
C
Robles-Díaz
Guillermo
G
Díaz-Sánchez
Vicente
V
D001483:Base Sequence; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C515057:NR5A1 protein, human; C082631:NR5A2 protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme