Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein: its presence and function in brain neurosteroidogenesis

2004; International Society Histology & Cytology; Volume: 67; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1679/aohc.67.383

1349-1717

Hyun Joon Kim, Sang Soo Kang, Gyeong Jae Cho, Wan Sun Choi,

Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Neurosteroids are synthesized de novo and involved in a variety of physiological functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) plays an essential role in the steroidogenesis of peripheral endocrine glands, its presence and role in the brain had been previously questioned because of difficulties in detecting it. However, a number of recent studies have confirmed the presence of StAR in rodent and human brains. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that StAR plays a role in steroidogenesis in the brain, as it does in peripheral endocrine organs. The present review presents data regarding the presence and role of StAR in brain steroidogenesis, demonstrating the essential characteristics of the protein.