UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE Mecanisme moleculaire du transport du cholesterol par la

UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE
Mecanisme moleculaire du transport du cholesterol par la
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR)
ALIREZA ROOSTAEE
Departement de Biochimie
Memoire presente a la Faculte de Medecine
de 1'Universite de Sherbrooke
en vue de l'obtention du grade de
Maitre es sciences (M.Sc.) en biochimie
Le jury est compose de Dr Jean-Guy LeHoux, Dr Pierre Lavigne, Dr Martin Bisaillon
et Dr Michel Grandbois
Sherbrooke,Quebec,Canada,Janvier 2008
i

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UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE
Insights into the mechanism of cholesterol transport by the
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR)
ALIREZA ROOSTAEE
Departement de Biochimie
Memoire presente a la Faculte de Medecine
de l'Universite de Sherbrooke
en vue de l'obtention du grade de
Maitre es sciences (M.Sc.) en biochimie
Le jury est compose de Dr Jean-Guy LeHoux, Dr Pierre Lavigne, Dr Martin Bisaillon
et Dr Michel Grandbois
Sherbrooke,Quebec,Canada,Janvier 2008
11

I would like to dedicate this thesis to my
parents, for their never-ending support,
for their unconditional love and the sense
of security they have given when I
wanted it most. I also dedicate this thesis
to my brother, Amir and to my sister,
Zahra for their ongoing support and
encouragement.
iii

Table of contents
Table of contents iv
List of figures ix
List of tables xi
List of abbreviations xii
Summary xiv
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Endocrine System 1
1.2 Hypothalamic-Pituitary unit 2
1.3 The hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) 4
1.4 Adrenal gland 4
1.5 Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex 7
1.6 Adrenal steroids 7
1.6.1 Mineralocorticoids 7
1.6.2 Glucocorticoids 8
1.6.3 Androgens 8
1.7 Organization of the pituitary-adrenal-axis (PAA) 10
1.8 Adrenal insufficiencies 12
1.9 Assessement of testicular function 14
1.10 Leydig cell function 14
1.11 Abnormalities of androgen metabolism 16
1.11.1 Gynecomastia 16
iv