The effect of environmental endocrine disruptors on gene regulative networks related to steroidogenesis / 国际儿科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EED) are pollutants of many exogenous chemicals,which have the potential to disrupt endocrine functions in exposed organisms.The enzymes increasingly involved in the steroid biosynthesis pathway are being recognized as important targets for the actions of various endocrine disrupting chemicals.Interferences with steroid biosynthesis may result in impaired reproduction,alterations in sexual differentiation,sexual development and the development of certain cancers.Aromatase ( CYP19 ) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein regulated by some transcriptional factors and signalling pathway are considered as the key and rate-limiting enzymes.Given their key role in the formation of steroid hormones,gene regulatory networks of enzymes related to steroidogenesis are gaining interest as molecular targets.Differences in genetic background can affect body's sensitivity to EED.This review will provide an overview of the enzymes involved in steroidogenesis,their cellular and molecular regulation,as well as the adverse effect of EED on them.