An essential component in steroid synthesis, the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, is expressed in discrete regions of the brain

SR King, PR Manna, T Ishii, PJ Syapin… - Journal of …, 2002 - Soc Neuroscience
SR King, PR Manna, T Ishii, PJ Syapin, SD Ginsberg, K Wilson, LP Walsh, KL Parker…
Journal of Neuroscience, 2002Soc Neuroscience
Recent data implicate locally produced steroids, termed neurosteroids, as regulators of
neuronal function. Adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis is controlled by changes in the
steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR); however, little is known about the regulation
of neurosteroid production. We now demonstrate unequivocally that StAR mRNA and
protein are expressed within glia and neurons in discrete regions of the mouse brain, and
that glial StAR expression is inducible. Consistent with a role in de novo …
Recent data implicate locally produced steroids, termed neurosteroids, as regulators of neuronal function. Adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis is controlled by changes in the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR); however, little is known about the regulation of neurosteroid production. We now demonstrate unequivocally that StAR mRNA and protein are expressed within glia and neurons in discrete regions of the mouse brain, and that glial StAR expression is inducible. Consistent with a role in de novoneurosteroidogenesis, StAR colocalizes with the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme P450scc in both mouse and human brains. These data support a role for StAR in the production of neurosteroids and identify potential sites of active de novo steroid synthesis in the brain.
Soc Neuroscience