Elements involved in the regulation of the StAR gene

The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mediates the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, the regulat ed step in steroidogenesis. A most interesting facet of this protein is the manner in which its expression is acutely regulated. In this regard, a num ber of studies have concentrated on the search for consensus cis regulatory elements within its promoter, and, more importantly, on whether these elem ents are involved in its expression. This short review will summarize some of the findings that have been reported concerning the nature of how the ex pression of this gene is regulated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.