scholarly journals Screening for Mutations in the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein and Steroidogenic Factor-1 Genes, and in CYP11A and Dosage-Sensitive Sex Reversal-Adrenal Hypoplasia Gene on the X Chromosome, Gene-1 (DAX-1), in Hyperandrogenic Hirsute Women1

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 1746-1749
Author(s):  
Rosa M. Calvo ◽  
Miryam Asunción ◽  
Dolores Tellería ◽  
José Sancho ◽  
José L. San Millán ◽  
...  
Endocrinology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 145 (8) ◽  
pp. 3950-3960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara L. Britt ◽  
Peter G. Stanton ◽  
Marie Misso ◽  
Evan R. Simpson ◽  
Jock K. Findlay

Abstract Estrogen (17β-estradiol, E2)-deficient aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice develop Sertoli and Leydig cells at puberty. We hypothesized that estrogen, directly or indirectly, regulates genes responsible for somatic cell differentiation and steroidogenesis. ArKO ovaries expressed estrogen receptors α and β, and LH receptor, indices of estrogen responsiveness in the ovary. Wild-type (Wt) and ArKO mice received either E2 or placebo for 3 wk, from 7–10 wk of age. E2 decreased serum FSH and LH and increased uterine weights of 10-wk-old ArKO mice. We measured mRNA expression of Sertoli cell, Sry-like HMG box protein 9 (Sox9); three upstream transcription factors, liver receptor homolog-1 (Lrh-1), steroidogenic factor 1, and dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on the X chromosome gene 1; and one downstream factor, Müllerian-inhibiting substance. Placebo-treated ArKO ovaries have increased Sox9 (15-fold; P < 0.001), Müllerian-inhibiting substance (2.9-fold), Lrh-1 (7.7-fold), and dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on the X chromosome gene 1 (12-fold) expression compared with Wt at 10 wk. Steroidogenic factor 1 was similar to Wt. Consistent with increased serum T levels and Leydig cells in their ovaries, placebo-treated ArKO ovaries had increased 17α-hydroxylase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-3, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 expression compared with Wt at 10 wk. E2 treatment for 3 wk improved the ovarian phenotype, decreased development of Sertoli cells, decreased the expression of Sox9, Lrh-1, and the steroidogenic enzymes in ArKO ovaries, and induced ovulation in some cases. In conclusion, the expression of the genes regulating somatic cell differentiation is directly or indirectly responsive to estrogen.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. R1707-R1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean A. Myers ◽  
Kimberly Hyatt ◽  
Malgorzata Mlynarczyk ◽  
Ian M. Bird ◽  
Charles A. Ducsay

Basal plasma ACTH1–39 concentrations are elevated in long-term hypoxic (LTH) fetal sheep. This study was designed to determine whether the expression of genes regulating cortisol biosynthesis was altered after LTH. Pregnant ewes were maintained at high altitude (3,820 m) from day 30 of gestation to near term, when the animals were transported to the laboratory. Reduced Po2 was maintained by nitrogen infusion through a maternal tracheal catheter. On days 137–141, fetal adrenal glands were collected from LTH and normoxic control fetuses. Real-time PCR was used to quantify mRNA for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21), cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD3B2), and the ACTH receptor. We analyzed mRNA by slot-blot hybridization and also quantified mRNA for transcription factors necessary for adrenocortical development by quantitative real-time PCR: steroidogenic factor 1 and dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, critical region on the X chromosome (DAX-1). Protein was quantified by Western blot analysis. Adrenal mRNAs for CYP17, CYP11A1, and the ACTH receptor were significantly reduced in LTH fetal sheep compared with levels shown in controls. Similarly, CYP11A1 protein and CYP17 protein were reduced in the LTH group. CYP21, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, HSD3B2, steroidogenic factor 1, and DAX-1 expressions were not altered in response to LTH. We conclude that expression of two key steroidogenic enzymes (CYP17, CYP11A1) regulating cortisol biosynthesis and the ACTH receptor is lower in response to LTH. This likely represents an adaptive response to LTH, to prevent excessive cortisol production that would restrict fetal growth and potentially induce preterm delivery.


Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (9) ◽  
pp. 4336-4345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuhiro Sonoyama ◽  
Masakatsu Sone ◽  
Kyoko Honda ◽  
Daisuke Taura ◽  
Katsutoshi Kojima ◽  
...  

Although there have been reports of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into steroid-producing cells, the differentiation of human ES/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into steroid-producing cells has not been reported. The purpose of our present study was to establish a method for inducing differentiation of human ES/iPS cells into steroid-producing cells. The first approach we tried was embryoid body formation and further culture on adherent plates. The resultant differentiated cells expressed mRNA encoding the steroidogenic enzymes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450-containing enzyme (CYP)-11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP19, and secreted progesterone was detected in the cell medium. However, expression of human chorionic gonadotropin was also detected, suggesting the differentiated cells were trophoblast like. We next tried a multistep approach. As a first step, human ES/iPS cells were induced to differentiate into the mesodermal lineage. After 7 d of differentiation induced by 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (a glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor), the human ES/iPS cells had differentiated into fetal liver kinase-1- and platelet derived growth factor receptor-α-expressing mesodermal lineage cells. As a second step, plasmid DNA encoding steroidogenic factor-1, a master regulator of steroidogenesis, was introduced into these mesodermal cells. The forced expression of steroidogenic factor-1 and subsequent addition of 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate induced the mesodermal cells to differentiate into the steroidogenic cell lineage, and expression of CYP21A2 and CYP11B1, in addition to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1, was detected. Moreover, secreted cortisol was detected in the medium, but human chorionic gonadotropin was not. These findings indicate that the steroid-producing cells obtained through the described multistep method are not trophoblast like; instead, they exhibit characteristics of adrenal cortical cells.


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