Two interesting papers by Barren et al. and Owen et al. have been very recently published in Biochemical Journal, reporting the role of translocator protein (TSPO) in steroidogenesis. The involvement of TSPO in the steroid biosynthesis has been suggested by 30 years of researches, using biochemical, pharmacological and genetic experimental approaches. In the last 3 years, however, the TSPO involvement in steroidogenesis has been intensively and profoundly discussed. Using in vivo genetic manipulations aimed at deleting TSPO, some researchers have excluded its role in steroid production. Other research groups, using similar genetic manipulation techniques, have presented different results, corroborating the role of TSPO in steroidogenesis, in particular, when hormonal stimulation occurs. In this scenario, the publications by Barron et al. about ‘Steroidogenic abnormalities in translocator protein knockout mice and significance in the aging male’ and by Owen et al. about ‘TSPO mutations in rats and a human polymorphism impair the rate of steroid synthesis’ are part of this debate and provide further and more accurate information supporting the importance of TSPO as a steroidogenesis regulator.
Skip Nav Destination
Follow us on Twitter @Biochem_Journal
Article navigation
March 2018
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
The human immunodeficiency virus. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Parajuli et al. report that restricted the HIV Env (envelope glycoprotein) glycan engagement by a lectin reengineered DAVEI protein chimera is sufficient for virolysis. For details, see pages 931–957.
Commentary|
March 06 2018
Translocator protein and steroidogenesis
Barbara Costa;
Barbara Costa
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56127 Pisa, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Eleonora Da Pozzo;
Eleonora Da Pozzo
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56127 Pisa, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Claudia Martini
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56127 Pisa, Italy
Correspondence: Claudia Martini ([email protected])
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 13 2018
Revision Received:
January 16 2018
Accepted:
January 18 2018
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2018
Biochem J (2018) 475 (5): 901–904.
Article history
Received:
January 13 2018
Revision Received:
January 16 2018
Accepted:
January 18 2018
Connected Content
This is a commentary on:
TSPO mutations in rats and a human polymorphism impair the rate of steroid synthesis
This is a commentary on:
Steroidogenic abnormalities in translocator protein knockout mice and significance in the aging male
Citation
Barbara Costa, Eleonora Da Pozzo, Claudia Martini; Translocator protein and steroidogenesis. Biochem J 15 March 2018; 475 (5): 901–904. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20170766
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Follow us on Twitter @Biochem_Journal
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() View past webinars > |