p38 MAPK inhibition of STAR gene transcription

STAR/StarD1 mediates the transport of cholesterol from the outer to inner mitochondrial membrane, the rate limiting step in steroidogenesis. Zaidi and colleagues examined the role of oxidant-sensitive p38 MAPKs in the regulation of STAR gene transcription. Studies with rat Star-promoter demonstrated that over-expression of p38 MAPKα-wt, -β, or -γ significantly reduced both basal and cAMP-sensitive promoter activity, whereas over-expression of p38 MAPKα-dn, -β, or -γ enhanced the Star promoter. These data provides novel mechanistic information about how oxidant-sensitive p38 MAPKs contribute to the negative regulation of Star gene expression and inhibit steroidogenesis.

Read the full article at Zaidi et al. (2014) Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 53 1–16. DOI:10.1530/JME-13-0287