NO/cGMP signaling increases mitochondrial membrane potential and affects androgenesis in Leydig cells of adult rats

摘要: Mitochondria are a key control point for the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis in all steroid-producing cells, including androgen-producing Leydig cells. The first step is mobilization cholesterol to mitochondrial inner membrane, which facilitated by steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. Previous studies on cells indicated importance membrane potential (Δψ μ ) stimulated androgen production. Since nitric oxide (NO) could regulate production, it was interest explore effects NO-cGMP-dependent signaling Δψ and activity rat results showed that treatment purified with NO-donor causes dose-dependent increase both cGMP production without effecting cAMP intracellular levels. In same biphasic effect testosterone observed; stimulatory dose range (0-10 -5 M) inhibitory at 10 -3 M. Levels mature StAR protein also exhibit similar effect. Furthermore, dependently stimulates even supra-maximal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 50 ng/ml). hCG-treatment alone slightly increased this followed small but significant . Together, from experimental approaches stimulating significantly correlated values, suggesting implication polarity. summary, our support positive role maintenance polarity through ,