Steroidogenesis, the processes by which cholesterol is converted to steroid hormones,
involves transport proteins, enzymes, redox partners and cofactors. Most steroidogenic …

The nuclear receptor superfamily is comprised of over 150 different proteins that have
evolved to mediate a complex array of extracellular signals into transcriptional responses …

Bile acids repress the transcription of cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), which catalyzes the
rate-limiting step in bile acid biosynthesis. Although bile acids activate the farnesoid X …

In the mammalian embryo, both sexes are initially morphologically indistinguishable:
specific hormones are required for sex-specific development. Müllerian inhibiting substance …

Reproduction is required for the survival of all mammalian species, and thousands of
essential'sex'genes are conserved through evolution. Basic research helps to define these …

Adrenal insufficiency is caused by either primary adrenal failure (mostly due to autoimmune
adrenalitis) or by hypothalamic-pituitary impairment of the corticotropic axis (predominantly …

II. Nuclear Receptors: General Concepts A. Anatomy of nuclear receptors B. Mechanisms of
action III. Orphan Nuclear Receptors A. Definition

Arguably the most defining moment in our lives is fertilization, the point at which we inherit
either an X or a Y chromosome from our father. The profoundly different journeys of male …

The 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (3β-HSD) isoenzymes are
responsible for the oxidation and isomerization of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid precursors into Δ4 …

E. Functional development 1. Ontogeny of steroidogenic activity 2. Functional zonation and
ontogeny of steroidogenic enzyme expression 3. Responsiveness to ACTH III. Regulation A …