Steroid sulfation in adrenal tumors.

摘要: Context The adrenal cortex produces specific steroid hormones including sulfates such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), the most abundant hormone in human circulation. Steroid sulfation involves a multi-step enzyme machinery that may be impaired by inborn errors of metabolism. Emerging data suggest role pathophysiology tumors and potential biomarkers. Evidence acquisition Selective literature search using "steroid", "sulfat*", "adrenal", "transport", "mass spectrometry" related terms different combinations. synthesis A recent study highlighted tissue abundance estrogen to prognostic impact adrenocortical carcinoma samples MALDI mass spectrometry imaging. General mechanisms uptake, activation transfer substrate steroids are reasonably well understood. Key aspects this pathway however have not been investigated detail adrenal; these include regulation specificity secretion sulfated steroids. Both for targeted peripheral tissues, relevant biological actions beyond their cognate nuclear receptors after desulfation. Impaired low DHEAS Cushing adenomas is diagnostic utility, but more comprehensive studies lacking. In bioanalytics, requirement deconjugation gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry has precluded long time. This limitation overcome liquid-chromatography/tandem-mass-spectrometry. Conclusions suggested utility biomarkers likely. Recent analytical developments target specifically.