Advances in the study of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein
Wang, C.-Y.; Wang, Y.-B.
Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 12(8): 733-736
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1009-3591 PMID: 16970168 Document Number: 595754
The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein is an essential component in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis in adrenal and gonadal cells. The StAR protein has a high tissue specificity, located on the mitochondrial membranes of some relative cells. It regulates the transfer of cholesterin from extracellular into intracellular and plays a dominant role in steroidogenic synthesis. Recent studies have also shown that the transcription and expression of StAR are modulated not only through the cAMP-PKA dependent pathway, but also by multiple hormones and cytokines, which contributes to the regulation of cholesterin synthesis.