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Lipoproteins, lipid droplets, lysosomes, and adrenocortical steroid hormone synthesis: Morphological studies
Author(s) -
Tóth Ida E.,
Szabó Dezso,
Bruckner Géza G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19970315)36:6<480::aid-jemt5>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - steroid , hormone , chemistry , steroid hormone , lipid droplet , lipid accumulation , endocrinology , medicine , biochemistry , biology
Recent studies concerning cellular cholesterol homeostasis suggest that there is a relationship between the serum lipoproteins (low density and high density lipoproteins: LDL and HDL), the intracellular storage of cholesterol (lipid droplets), lysosomes, and the steroidogenic activity of adrenocortical cells. This review surveys the current knowledge on cholesterol import from LDL/HDL by adrenocortical cells, its regulation, and the participation of lipid droplets and lysosomes in this process. The possible role of adrenocortical cell microvilli in the uptake of LDL/HDL is discussed. Under certain physiological, experimental, and pathological circumstances lysosomes accumulate unesterified and/or esterified cholesterol in the form of lipid‐lyososome complexes. As suggested by the data presented in this review, lipid‐lysosome complexes appear to be involved in cholesterol homeostasis, via altering lipid compartmentalization. Since previous reports do not clearly demonstrate a positive correlation between the volume of lipid‐ and lysosome‐ compartments and the rate of steroid hormone synthesis [for review, see Nussdorfer (1986) Int. Rev. Cytol., 98:1–405], the objective of this review is to provide a better understanding of the interactions of plasma lipoproteins, lipid droplets, lysosomes, and steroidogenesis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 36:480–492, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.