title: Steroid biosynthesis in adipose tissue.
abstract: Tissue-specific expression of steroidogenic enzymes allows the modulation of active steroid levels in a local manner. Thus, the measurement of local steroid concentrations, rather than the circulating levels, has been recognized as a more accurate indicator of the steroid action within a specific tissue. Adipose tissue, one of the largest endocrine tissues in the human body, has been established as an important site for steroid storage and metabolism. Locally produced steroids, through the enzymatic conversion from steroid precursors delivered to adipose tissue, have been proven to either functionally regulate adipose tissue metabolism, or quantitatively contribute to the whole body's steroid levels. Most recently, it has been suggested that adipose tissue may contain the steroidogenic machinery necessary for the initiation of steroid biosynthesis de novo from cholesterol. This review summarizes the evidence indicating the presence of the entire steroidogenic apparatus in adipose tissue and discusses the potential roles of local steroid products in modulating adipose tissue activity and other metabolic parameters.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Jiehan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Electronic address: vassilios.papadopoulos@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: veera.vihma@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Veera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vihma
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids
keywords: Adipose tissue; Metabolic disorders; Obesity; Steroidogenic enzymes