REGULATION OF STEROID HYDROXYLASE GENE-EXPRESSION - IMPORTANCE TO PHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASE

Steroid hydroxylase gene expression is multifactorial in nature, being regulated by tissue-specific, developmental, constitutive and signal transduction systems. The biochemistry of this complex pattern of regu lation is not yet clearly elucidated, but studies in several laborator ies have led to an understanding of specific aspects of regulation, pa rticularly that involving signal transduction. The complexity of regul ation appears to be necessary for normal human physiology because of t he wide variety of steroid hormones produced by these enzymes. Genetic diseases associated with the steroid hydroxylases provide examples of how aberrant physiology can result from alterations in the multifacto rial regulation of steroid hydroxylase gene expression.