title: Regulation of adrenocortical steroid hormone production by RhoA-diaphanous 1 signaling and the cytoskeleton.
abstract: The production of glucocorticoids and aldosterone in the adrenal cortex is regulated at multiple levels. Biosynthesis of these hormones is initiated when cholesterol, the substrate, enters the inner mitochondrial membrane for conversion to pregnenolone. Unlike most metabolic pathways, the biosynthesis of adrenocortical steroid hormones is unique because some of the enzymes are localized in mitochondria and others in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although much is known about the factors that control the transcription and activities of the proteins that are required for steroid hormone production, the parameters that govern the exchange of substrates between the ER and mitochondria are less well understood. This short review summarizes studies that have begun to provide insight into the role of the cytoskeleton, mitochondrial transport, and the physical interaction of the ER and mitochondria in the production of adrenocortical steroid hormones.
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0704, USA. msewer@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Marion B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sewer
authors.forename: Donghui
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D000080865:Formins; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; C108962:DIAPH1 protein, human; D000080865:Formins; D002784:Cholesterol