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1: Science. 1995 Jun 16;268(5217):1609-12.Click here to read Links
Erratum in:
Science 1995 Oct 20;270(5235):365.

Identification of a stimulator of steroid hormone synthesis isolated from testis.

Boujrad N, Ogwuegbu SO, Garnier M, Lee CH, Martin BM, Papadopoulos V.

Department of Cell Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.

Gonadal steroidogenesis is regulated by pituitary gonadotropins and a locally produced, unidentified factor. A 70-kilodalton (kD) protein complex secreted from rat Sertoli cells was isolated. The complex, composed of 28- and 38-kD proteins, stimulated steroidogenesis by Leydig cells and ovarian granulosa cells in a dose-dependent and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-independent manner. The follicle-stimulating hormone-induced 28-kD protein appeared to be responsible for the bioactivity, but the 38-kD protein was indispensable for maximal activity. The 28- and 38-kD proteins were shown to be identical to the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and the proenzyme form of cathepsin L, respectively. Thus, a TIMP-1-procathepsin L complex is a potent activator of steroidogenesis and may regulate steroid concentrations and, thus, germ cell development in both males and females.

PMID: 7777858 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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