title: Lipoproteins and Hedgehog signalling--possible implications for the adrenal gland function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome is a common metabolic disorder that is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Disturbances in adrenal steroid hormone production significantly contribute to the development of this disorder. Therefore, it is extremely important to fully understand the mechanisms governing adrenal gland function, both in physiological and pathological conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recently, Sonic hedgehog has emerged as an important regulator of adrenal development, with a possible role in adult gland homeostasis. Recent work of our group shows that lipoproteins are important regulators of Hedgehog signaling; they act as carriers for the spread of Hedgehog proteins, but also contain lipid(s) that inhibit the pathway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose that lipoproteins may affect Sonic hedgehog signaling in the adult adrenal gland at multiple levels. Understanding the interplay between lipoprotein metabolism and adrenal Hedgehog signaling may improve our understanding of how adrenal gland disorders contribute to the metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Marta M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Swierczynska
authors.forename: Valéria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lamounier-Zepter
authors.forename: Stefan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bornstein
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eaton
mesh_terms: D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000502:physiology*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; C509239:SHH protein, human
keywords: Adrenal gland; Sonic hedgehog; lipoproteins; metabolic syndrome