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Schoop V, Martello A, Eden ER, Höglinger D. Cellular cholesterol and how to find it. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158989. [PMID: 34118431 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential component of eukaryotic cellular membranes. Information about its subcellular localization and transport pathways inside cells are key for the understanding and treatment of cholesterol-related diseases. In this review we give an overview over the most commonly used methods that contributed to our current understanding of subcellular cholesterol localization and transport routes. First, we discuss methods that provide insights into cholesterol metabolism based on readouts of downstream effects such as esterification. Subsequently, we focus on the use of cholesterol-binding molecules as probes that facilitate visualization and quantification of sterols inside of cells. Finally, we explore different analogues of cholesterol which, when taken up by living cells, are integrated and transported in a similar fashion as endogenous sterols. Taken together, we highlight the challenges and advantages of each method such that researchers studying aspects of cholesterol transport may choose the most pertinent approach for their problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Schoop
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Martello
- University College London (UCL), Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V 9EL London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily R Eden
- University College London (UCL), Institute of Ophthalmology, EC1V 9EL London, United Kingdom
| | - Doris Höglinger
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center (BZH), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Jin W, Ma R, Zhai L, Xu X, Lou T, Huang Q, Wang J, Zhao D, Li X, Sun L. Ginsenoside Rd attenuates ACTH-induced corticosterone secretion by blocking the MC2R-cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in Y1 mouse adrenocortical cells. Life Sci 2020; 245:117337. [PMID: 31972205 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher levels of glucocorticoids (GCs), and impaired regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may cause or exacerbate the occurrence of metabolic and psychiatric disorders. It has been reported that ginseng saponin extract (GSE) has an inhibitory effect on the hyperactivity of the HPA axis induced by stresses and increased corticosterone level induced by intraperitoneal injection of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms by which GSE and its active ginsenosides inhibit corticosterone secretion remain elusive. MAIN METHODS Y1 mouse adrenocortical cells were treated with ACTH for up to 60 min to establish a cell model of corticosterone secretion. After treatment with different concentrations of GSE or ginsenoside monomers for 24 h prior to the addition of ACTH, analyses of cAMP content, PKA activity, and the levels of steroidogenesis regulators, melanocortin-2 receptor (MC2R), and melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) in ACTH-induced Y1 cells were performed. RESULTS We demonstrated that GSE inhibits ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production in Y1 cells by inhibiting factors critical for steroid synthesis. Ginsenoside Rd, an active ingredient of GSE, inhibits corticosterone secretion in the cells and impedes ACTH-induced corticosterone biosynthesis through down-regulation of proteins in the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. In addition, Western blot and qPCR analyses showed that ginsenoside Rd attenuated the induction of MC2R and MRAP by ACTH. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ginsenoside Rd inhibits ACTH-induced corticosterone production through blockading the MC2R-cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in adrenocortical cells. Overall, this mechanism may represent an important therapeutic option for the treatment of stress-related disorders, further supporting the pharmacological benefits of ginseng.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Jin
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lu Zhai
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaohao Xu
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tingting Lou
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qingxia Huang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Daqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China; Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Jilin, China
| | - Xiangyan Li
- Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Bio-Macromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China; Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Jilin, China.
| | - Liwei Sun
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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