Acute regulation of the bovine gene for the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in ovarian theca and adrenocortical cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ivell ◽  
G Tillmann ◽  
H Wang ◽  
M Nicol ◽  
PM Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Adrenocortical Cells ◽  
Theca Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Star Gene

Upregulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) is implicated in the rapid synthesis and secretion of steroidogenic cells to produce steroids in response to stimulation by trophic hormones of the gonadal and stress axes. In the present study, we have assessed the kinetics of both StAR gene transcription and protein biosynthesis in primary cell cultures of bovine adrenocortical and ovarian theca cells, under conditions of acute stimulation by corticotrophin (ACTH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), respectively. In both cell systems, detectable upregulation of StAR gene transcription occurred within 1-2 h, reaching maxima at 4 h (theca cells) or 6 h (adrenocortical cells). mRNA levels returned rapidly to baseline, by 12 h or 24 h, respectively. Specific StAR protein levels were assessed by western blotting using a novel antibody raised against a bovine StAR peptide, and showed a similar fast upregulation, albeit delayed by 1-2 h compared with the mRNA. The response of the cultured theca cells was more acute than that of the adrenocortical cells, possibly reflecting the propensity of the LH receptor to desensitize rapidly, unlike the ACTH receptor. The primary bovine theca cell cultures were also used for fully homologous transfection studies using various deletion promoter-reporter constructs of the bovine StAR gene. Kinetic analysis of the results indicated that the acute transcriptional response resides within the proximal (-315 bp) promoter region, which includes two putative responsive elements for the steroidogenic factor-1. More distal promoter regions may be involved in modulating the specificity of expression by combining enhancer and inhibitory functions.

scholarly journals Luteinizing Hormone-Induced Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase Activation Differently Modulates Progesterone and Androstenedione Production in Bovine Theca Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 146 (7) ◽  
pp. 2903-2910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimihisa Tajima ◽  
Kumiko Yoshii ◽  
Shin Fukuda ◽  
Makoto Orisaka ◽  
Kaoru Miyamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinase A ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Theca Cells ◽  
Progesterone Production ◽  
Erk Phosphorylation ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Kinase A

Abstract It has been reported that gonadotropins promoted phosphorylation of ERK/MAPK in granulosa cells. However, little is known about the effects of gonadotropin on ERK activity in theca cells. This study explores how LH/forskolin controls ERK phosphorylation in cultured bovine theca cells. Effects of ERK on steroidogenesis were also investigated. Phosphorylation of ERK in bovine theca cells was augmented by LH and forskolin in 5 min; it decreased thereafter below basal levels in 20 min. Nevertheless, phosphorylation of the ERK kinase, MEK, was unaffected. Addition of H89 (a protein kinase A inhibitor) significantly reduced the effect of LH/forskolin on ERK phosphorylation. A potent MEK inhibitor PD98059 eliminated ERK phosphorylation and augmented progesterone production concomitantly with the elevation of intracellular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA in LH/forskolin-stimulated theca cells. In contrast to progesterone production, androgen production was diminished significantly by inhibition of ERK with decreased intracellular P450c17 mRNA levels. Taking these results together, we conclude that LH/cAMP leads to phosphorylation of ERK in a biphasic manner through MEK-independent pathway in bovine theca cells. Protein kinase A-induced phosphatase could possibly contribute to the phosphorylation process. Furthermore, modulation of ERK phosphorylation involves control of thecal steroidogenesis via modulation of the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and P450c17.

scholarly journals GATA4 Reduction Enhances 3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate-Stimulated Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Messenger Ribonucleic Acid and Progesterone Production in Luteinized Porcine Granulosa Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (11) ◽  
pp. 5557-5567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Y. Hui ◽  
Holly A. LaVoie
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Progesterone Production ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Camp Induction ◽  
Star Gene

Previous studies with cultured granulosa cells implicated GATA4 in gonadotropin regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) gene. Caveats to these prior studies exist. First, GATA4 levels are reduced in granulosa-luteal cells after the LH surge when GATA6 expression is relatively high. Second, STAR mRNA expression is negligible in granulosa cells until after the LH surge. Both exogenous GATA4 and GATA6 can transactivate STAR gene promoter constructs. We used an RNA interference (RNAi) approach to determine the contributions of GATA4 and GATA6 to cAMP analog regulation of the endogenous STAR gene in luteinizing granulosa cells. STAR mRNA was stimulated by cAMP under control RNAi conditions. Surprisingly, GATA4 reduction by its respective RNAi approximately doubled the cAMP induction of STAR mRNA. At 24 h cAMP treatment, this augmentation was abolished by co-down-regulation of GATA4+GATA6. GATA6 down-regulation by itself did not alter STAR mRNA levels. GATA4+GATA6 co-down-regulation elevated basal CYP11A mRNA at 24 h treatment but did not affect its induction by cAMP. Basal levels of HSD3B mRNA were reduced by GATA4 RNAi conditions leading to a greater fold induction of its mRNA by cAMP. Fold cAMP-stimulated progesterone production was enhanced by GATA4 down-regulation but not by GATA4+GATA6 co-down-regulation. These data implicate GATA6 as the facilitator in cAMP-stimulated STAR mRNA and downstream progesterone accumulation under reduced GATA4 conditions. Data also demonstrate that basal levels of GATA4/6 are not required for cAMP induction of the STAR gene. The altered ratio of GATA4 to GATA6 after ovulation may allow GATA6 to enhance STAR mRNA accumulation.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Role of Activator Protein-1 on Transcription of the Mouse Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Gene

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 558-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulak R. Manna ◽  
Darrell W. Eubank ◽  
Douglas M. Stocco
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Activator Protein 1 ◽  
Transcriptional Responses ◽  
Activator Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Star Gene

Abstract cAMP-dependent mechanisms regulate the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein even though its promoter lacks a consensus cAMP response-element (CRE, TGACGTCA). Transcriptional regulation of the StAR gene has been demonstrated to involve combinations of DNA sequences that provide recognition motifs for sequence-specific transcription factors. We recently identified and characterized three canonical 5′-CRE half-sites within the cAMP-responsive region (−151/−1 bp) of the mouse StAR gene. Among these CRE elements, the CRE2 half-site is analogous (TGACTGA) to an activator protein-1 (AP-1) sequence [TGA(C/G)TCA]; therefore, the role of the AP-1 transcription factor was explored in StAR gene transcription. Mutation in the AP-1 element demonstrated an approximately 50% decrease in StAR reporter activity. Using EMSA, oligonucleotide probes containing an AP-1 binding site were found to specifically bind to nuclear proteins obtained from mouse MA-10 Leydig and Y-1 adrenocortical tumor cells. The integrity of the sequence-specific AP-1 element in StAR gene transcription was assessed using the AP-1 family members, Fos (c-Fos, Fra-1, Fra-2, and Fos B) and Jun (c-Jun, Jun B, and Jun D), which demonstrated the involvement of Fos and Jun in StAR gene transcription to varying degrees. Disruption of the AP-1 binding site reversed the transcriptional responses seen with Fos and Jun. EMSA studies utilizing antibodies specific to Fos and Jun demonstrated the involvement of several AP-1 family proteins. Functional assessment of Fos and Jun was further demonstrated by transfecting antisense c-Fos, Fra-1, and dominant negative forms of Fos (A-Fos) and c-Jun (TAM-67) into MA-10 cells, which significantly (P < 0.01) repressed transcription of the StAR gene. Mutation of the AP-1 site in combination with mutations in other cis-elements resulted in a further decrease of StAR promoter activity, demonstrating a functional cooperation between these factors. Mammalian two-hybrid assays revealed high-affinity protein-protein interactions between c-Fos and c-Jun with steroidogenic factor 1, GATA-4, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β. These findings demonstrate that Fos and Jun can bind to the TGACTGA element in the StAR promoter and provide novel insights into the mechanisms regulating StAR gene transcription.

Expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA in adrenal tumors and cultured adrenal cells

1996 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Liu ◽  
P Heikkilä ◽  
A I Kahri ◽  
R Voutilainen
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Adrenal Tumors ◽  
Adrenocortical Cells ◽  
Mrna Accumulation ◽  
Chain Cleavage ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Adrenocortical Carcinomas

Abstract The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) has recently been shown to be a factor necessary for cholesterol transport into adrenal and gonadal mitochondria, which is the regulated, rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. We show here that StAR mRNA is highly expressed in normal adult adrenals (n=9), adrenocortical adenomas (n=16), adrenal hyperplasias (n=6), adrenocortical carcinomas (n=6) and adrenals adjacent to tumor tissues (n=9). There was a good correlation between the expression of StAR and the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme/20,22-desmolase (P450 scc) mRNAs both in normal (r=0·93; P<0·01) and in tumor (r=0·97; P<0·001) tissues. No StAR mRNA was detected in Northern blots of liver, kidney, breast, parathyroid or phaeochromocytoma RNAs. In cultured adrenocortical cells, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), (Bu)2cAMP, and cholera toxin increased StAR and P450 scc mRNA accumulation 6- to 18-fold, dose-and time-dependently. StAR (and P450 scc) mRNA increased relatively slowly in response to ACTH treatment, with the maximal increment at 24 h, while the mRNA of the early response gene c-fos peaked within 2 h. The protein kinase inhibitor H-7 inhibited basal and ACTH-induced StAR mRNA expression. Our results show that StAR mRNA is expressed at high levels in normal human adrenals and adrenocortical neoplasms. It is up-regulated in parallel with P450 scc by ACTH in adult adrenocortical cells, which suggests that ACTH is at least one of the key regulators of adrenal StAR expression. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 150, 43–50

scholarly journals Porcine and Bovine Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) Gene Expression during Gestation1

Endocrinology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
pp. 1085-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Pilon ◽  
Isabelle Daneau ◽  
Chantal Brisson ◽  
Jean-François Ethier ◽  
Jacques G. Lussier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Star Gene
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