Intertwined regulators: hypoxia pathway proteins, microRNAs, and phosphodiesterases in the control of steroidogenesis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Oxygen sensing is of paramount importance for maintaining cellular and systemic homeostasis. In response to diminished oxygen levels, the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) orchestrate various biological processes. These pivotal transcription factors have been identified as key regulators of several biological events. Notably, extensive research from our group and others has demonstrated that HIF1α exerts an inverse regulatory effect on steroidogenesis, leading to the suppression of crucial steroidogenic enzyme expression and a subsequent decrease in steroid levels. These steroid hormones occupy pivotal roles in governing a myriad of physiological processes. Substantial or prolonged fluctuations in steroid levels carry detrimental consequences across multiple organ systems and underlie various pathological conditions, including metabolic and immune disorders. MicroRNAs serve as potent mediators of multifaceted gene regulatory mechanisms, acting as influential epigenetic regulators that modulate a broad spectrum of gene expressions. Concomitantly, phosphodiesterases (PDEs) play a crucial role in governing signal transduction. PDEs meticulously manage intracellular levels of both cAMP and cGMP, along with their respective signaling pathways and downstream targets. Intriguingly, an intricate interplay seems to exist between hypoxia signaling, microRNAs, and PDEs in the regulation of steroidogenesis. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the role of microRNAs during hypoxia-driven processes, including steroidogenesis, as well as the possibilities that exist in the application of HIF prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitors for the modulation of steroidogenesis.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1383-1398
Number of pages16
Journal Pflügers Archiv : European journal of physiology
Volume476
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC11310285
Scopus 85185122030
ORCID /0009-0008-1895-4538/work/173988523
ORCID /0000-0003-2514-9429/work/173988830

Keywords

Keywords

  • Humans, MicroRNAs/metabolism, Animals, Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases/metabolism, Signal Transduction, Steroids/biosynthesis, Hypoxia/metabolism, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism