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Neurosteroid transport by the organic solute transporter OSTα–OSTβ
Author(s) -
Fang Fang,
Christian Whitney V.,
Gorman Sadie G.,
Cui Mei,
Huang Jiaoti,
Tieu Kim,
Ballatori Nazzareno
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06920.x
Subject(s) - neuroactive steroid , pregnenolone , pregnenolone sulfate , endocrinology , zona reticularis , medicine , dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , dehydroepiandrosterone , adrenal gland , hippocampal formation , hippocampus , cerebellum , homeostasis , chemistry , biology , androgen , receptor , steroid , hormone , gabaa receptor , angiotensin ii , zona glomerulosa , blood pressure
J. Neurochem. (2010) 115 , 220–233. Abstract A variety of steroids, including pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are synthesized by specific brain cells, and are then delivered to their target sites, where they exert potent effects on neuronal excitability. The present results demonstrate that [ 3 H]DHEAS and [ 3 H]PREGS are relatively high affinity substrates for the organic solute transporter, OSTα–OSTβ, and that the two proteins that constitute this transporter are selectively localized to steroidogenic cells in the cerebellum and hippocampus, namely the Purkinje cells and cells in the cornu ammonis region in both mouse and human brain. Analysis of Ostα and Ostβ mRNA levels in mouse Purkinje and hippocampal cells isolated via laser capture microdissection supported these findings. In addition, Ostα ‐deficient mice exhibited changes in serum DHEA and DHEAS levels, and in tissue distribution of administered [ 3 H]DHEAS. OSTα and OSTβ proteins were also localized to the zona reticularis of human adrenal gland, the major region for DHEAS production in the periphery. These results demonstrate that OSTα–OSTβ is localized to steroidogenic cells of the brain and adrenal gland, and that it modulates DHEA/DHEAS homeostasis, suggesting that it may contribute to neurosteroid action.