Steroidogenic factor (SF1, NR5A1, Ad4BP) is an orphan nuclear receptor that is essential for steroid hormone-biosynthesis and endocrine development. Studies have found that the ability of this receptor to increase target gene expression can be regulated by post-translational modification, subnuclear localization, and protein-protein interactions. Recent crystallographic studies and our mass spectrometric analyses of the endogenous receptor have demonstrated an integral role for ligandbinding in the control of SF1 transactivation activity. Herein, we discuss our findings that sphingosine is an endogenous ligand for SF1. These studies and the structural findings of others have demonstrated that the receptor can bind both sphingolipids and phospholipids. Thus, it is likely that multiple bioactive lipids are ligands for SF1 and that these lipids will differentially act to control SF1 activity in a context-dependent manner. Finally, these findings highlight a central role for bioactive lipids as mediators of trophic-hormone stimulated steroid hormone biosynthesis.
Keywordssteroidogenic factor-1; CYP17; sphingosine; cAMP; adrenocorticotropin
Regulation of SF1 activitySteroid hormone biosynthesis involves the concerted action of a group of proteins that regulate substrate delivery and metabolism. Both the activity and expression of these enzymes is controlled by the integration of signaling pathways. One of these signal transduction pathways involves the activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). A consequence of PKA activation is increased transcription of steroidogenic genes. This increase in transcription is mediated by the binding of various transcription factors, including SF1, to cAMP responsive sequences in the promoters of steroidogenic genes (Sewer and Waterman, 2001;Sewer and Waterman, 2003). SF1 is a nuclear receptor that plays a key role not only in steroidogenesis (Bakke et al., 2001), but also in endocrine development and sex differentiation (Hammer et al., 2005;Parker et al., 2002).Many laboratories have carried out research to determine the mechanism by which SF1 activates steroidogenic gene transcription. Although transcription of steroidogenic genes Corresponding author: Marion B. Sewer, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 310 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Tel: (404) Fax: (404) 894-0519; E-mail: marion.sewer@biology.gatech.edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
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Bioactive sphingolipids in steroidogenesisSphingolipids are a diverse family of amphiphatic molecules that are comprised of a long-chain ...