Development of a Human Thecal Tumor Cell Model: Regulation of Steroidogenesis and Enzyme Expression

摘要: Steroid hormone production by ovarian thecal cells plays a pivotal role in reproductive physiology. Thecal cell synthesis of 19 carbon (C19) steroids [i.e., dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, and testosterone] is necessary to provide substrate for estrogen biosynthesis, which occurs the adjacent granulosa (1–3). The availability human luteinized from vitro fertilization patients has expedited research into mechanisms controlling differentiation. However, attempts define molecular biochemical C19 steroid have been hampered difficulties obtaining maintaining sufficient numbers steroidogenically active monolayer culture. Indeed, culture system large functional could be propagated prerequisite many studies transcription genes enzymes involved steroids.