Local Control of Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Steroids are essential for vertebrate physiology during pre- and postnatal life. Whereas \nthe skeleton structure of cyclopenta[α]phenanthrene rings is common to all steroid \nmolecules, differences occur in methyl- of ethylgroups attached to the four rings or the \noxidation state of the carbon atoms in the rings (Figure 1).1 Endogenous production of \nsteroids is realized in steroidogenic tissues. From these tissues, steroid molecules can be \nsecreted into the circulation to act in an endocrine fashion. By binding to receptors in \ntarget tissues they manipulate gene transcription, influencing a wide variety of cellular \nfunctions. Steroids can also exert local effects in the steroidogenic tissues after secretion \ninto the extracellular space (paracrine or autocrine) or directly within the cell in which \nthey are produced (intracrine).
Author: Johannes Hofland
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2233845203