Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melanie Galano, Yuchang Li, Lu Li, Chantal Sottas, Vassilios Papadopoulos
Summary: Leydig cells contain STAR which plays a role in transporting cholesterol into mitochondria for steroidogenesis, while the function of constitutive STAR in Leydig cells is unclear. Studies have shown that constitutive STAR is involved in accumulating diacylglycerol (DAG) in lipid droplets in addition to cholesterol transport. This may impact cell functions mediated by DAG signaling.STAR KO cells fail to produce progesterone in response to certain hormones and TSPO ligands, but show increased cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylcholine, and diacylglycerol contents in their lipid droplets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tarique Hussain, Mahmoud Kandeel, Elsayed Metwally, Ghulam Murtaza, Dildar Hussain Kalhoro, Yulong Yin, Bie Tan, Muhammad Ismail Chughtai, Anjaleena Yaseen, Ali Afzal, Muhammad Saleem Kalhoro
Summary: Male infertility is a global issue with oxidative stress being the main contributing factor, affecting sperm quality and quantity. Dysfunction of mitochondria and inflammation also play important roles in compromised fertility. The interaction between oxidative stress and seminal plasma proteomes further influences male infertility. Understanding these factors can help improve strategies to prevent male infertility.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jung-Chien Cheng, Xiaoyu Han, Qingxue Meng, Yanjie Guo, Boqun Liu, Tinglin Song, Yuanyuan Jia, Lanlan Fang, Ying-Pu Sun
Summary: This study reveals that HB-EGF can enhance the luteal function in humans by inducing StAR expression and progesterone production through the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yilin Zhang, Liye Fu, Su-ji Jeon, Jiajun Yan, Juan Pablo Giraldo, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, Robert D. Tilton, Gregory Lowry
Summary: This study successfully incorporated ROS scavenging and agent release functionality into a star polymer, which alleviated plant stress by providing nutrients and clearing ROS. The experiment results showed that this nanocarrier had a positive effect on photosynthesis in crops, making them more resilient to heat stress and other stressors induced by climate change.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xiande Huang, Taoye Ma, Xiaoyong Chen
Summary: This study found that TBT inhibits the development of Leydig cells and reduces androgen production. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that TBT downregulates the expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis and decreases protein levels.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie France Bouchard, Julia Picard, Jacques J. Tremblay, Robert S. Viger
Summary: In the testis, Leydig cells produce steroid hormones that are needed for masculinization and spermatogenesis. The study focused on the validation of the regulatory sequences required for the gene expression of STAR in an endogenous context.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Melanie Galano, Vassilios Papadopoulos
Summary: The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) is critical for cholesterol transport into the mitochondria and plays a role in its processing. This study found that deficiency or overexpression of STAR can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting the importance of constitutive STAR for proper mitochondrial structure and function.
Article
Cell Biology
Liselott Kallsten, Paula Pierozan, Jonathan W. Martin, Oskar Karlsson
Summary: The environmental contaminants DBP and MBP have been found to inhibit the synthesis of testosterone and other steroid hormones, with differences in their toxicological mechanisms. Additionally, DBP induces oxidative stress while MBP reduces protein oxidation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yan Qin, Weihua Su, Guihua Meng, Jianning Wu, Lin Cui, Shengchao Yang, Zhiyong Liu, Xuhong Guo
Summary: An intelligent responsive pesticide delivery system with ROS responsive star polymer micellar slow-release system shows great potential in improving the utilization rate of pesticides in agriculture. The system successfully loaded MBC and demonstrated a 1.64-fold increase in release amount with the presence of H2O2. It also exhibited a high inhibitory rate against R. solani. This study highlights the importance of designing pesticide vectors according to the target environment for crop protection, improved pesticide utilization, and environmental preservation.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maha A. Salem, Raed S. Ismail, Hala F. Zaki, Hossam M. M. Arafa, Aiman S. N. El-Khatib
Summary: In this study, we investigated the potential of L-carnitine (LC) to mitigate the reproductive toxic effects of carbendazim (CBZ) in male rats, and explored the molecular mechanisms involved in modifying spermatogenic and steroidogenic disruptions caused by the endocrine disruptor. LC supplementation improved sperm quality, testicular histological alterations, endocrine disturbances, and modulation of gene expressions and proteins, primarily through its endocrine-preserving, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Satoko Shinjo, Luca Scorrano
Summary: Receptor-mediated endocytosis transports LDLs to late endosomes, where cholesterol is delivered to mitochondria. Zhou et al. discovered that LDL-containing endosomes fuse with mitochondria, providing cholesterol for steroid biosynthesis and enabling mitochondrial degradation of the LDL receptor.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiqi Lei, Ilyas Ali, Min Yang, Caixia Yang, Yifei Li, Lian Li
Summary: This study investigated the deleterious effects of NEFA on bovine granulosa cells and its underlying molecular mechanism using an in vitro model. The results showed that high levels of NEFA led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, increased apoptosis-related factors, and disrupted steroid hormone synthesis in BGCs. In addition, NEFA inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway and increased FoxO1 expression. These findings help to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the negative effects of NEFA on BGCs.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Malek Darghouthi, Raja Rezg, Olfa Boughmadi, Bessem Mornagui
Summary: This study found that exposure to low doses of BPS in male rats resulted in abnormalities in sperm parameters, biochemical parameters, mitochondrial function, and histopathological changes. These findings suggest that BPS may have adverse effects on male reproductive function.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pierre-Olivier Hebert-Mercier, Francis Bergeron, Nicholas M. Robert, Samir Mehanovic, Kenley Joule Pierre, Raifish E. Mendoza-Villarroel, Karine de Mattos, Catherine Brousseau, Jacques J. Tremblay
Summary: Leydig cells play a crucial role in male sex differentiation and reproductive function by producing androgens. This study reveals that growth hormone (GH) regulates Leydig cell function by upregulating the expression of STAT5B transcription factor, which in turn activates the Star gene and increases steroid hormone output. The cooperation between STAT5B and cJUN in Leydig cells is necessary for this regulatory mechanism.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kassim Traore, Prajakta More, Akhil Adla, Godwin Dogbey, Vassilios Papadopoulos, Barry Zirkin
Summary: MEHP inhibits steroid formation in MA-10 cells at least in part by its effects on mitochondrial function, including reductions in STAR levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration, as well as an increase in mitochondrial superoxide production.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Guohui Shi, Yu Xie, Yong Guo, Jiayin Dai
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Toxicology
Sujie Sun, Jianshe Wang, Yin Lu, Jiayin Dai
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2018)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jiayin Dai
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianqian Cui, Yitao Pan, Hongxia Zhang, Nan Sheng, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nan Sheng, Yitao Pan, Yong Guo, Yan Sun, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yitao Pan, Hongxia Zhang, Qianqian Cui, Nan Sheng, Leo W. Y. Yeung, Yan Sun, Yong Guo, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jiayin Dai
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guohui Shi, Hua Guo, Nan Sheng, Qianqian Cui, Yitao Pan, Jinxing Wang, Yong Guo, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongxia Zhang, Xiujuan Zhou, Nan Sheng, Ruina Cui, Qianqian Cui, Hua Guo, Yong Guo, Yan Sun, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruina Cui, Chenyang Li, Jianshe Wang, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinghua Wang, Yitao Pan, Qianqian Cui, Bing Yao, Jianshe Wang, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sujie Sun, Hua Guo, Jianshe Wang, Jiayin Dai
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guohui Shi, Jinxing Wang, Hua Guo, Nan Sheng, Qianqian Cui, Yitao Pan, Yong Guo, Yan Sun, Jiayin Dai
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiayin Dai, Yitao Pan, Hongxia Zhang, Qianqian Cui
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2018)
Article
Toxicology
Nan Sheng, Ruina Cui, Jinghua Wang, Yong Guo, Jianshe Wang, Jiayin Dai
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2018)