Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Isolation, Fixation, and Immunofluorescence Imaging of Mouse Adrenal Glands
Published on: October 2, 2018
Modulation of steroidogenesis by selenium in a novel adrenal cell line developed using targeted tumorigenesis
J P Chanoine1, N A Compagnone, A C Wong
1Department of Pediatrics, Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5Z 4H4, BC, Canada. jchanoine@cw.bc.ca
Unlabelled:
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx-1) is a selenoenzyme that metabolizes H(2)O(2), a source of potentially toxic free radicals. Steroidogenesis is markedly inhibited by H(2)O(2) in vitro.
Objective:
to study the effects of selenium deficiency on GPx activity and adrenal steroidogenesis in a novel adrenal cell line developed using targeted tumorigenesis.
Methods:
AN4Rppc7 cells were grown for 7 days in serum-free medium. 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated concentrations of steroid hormones were measured by RIA. StAR (Steroid Acute Reactive Protein) mRNA was measured by Northern blot.
Results:
selenium deficiency caused a 99% There was a 51%, progesterone, corticosterone and aldosterone production, respectively (p<0.05 by ANOVA). StAR mRNA was not affected by selenium.
Conclusions:
selenium deficiency causes a marked decrease in GPx activity. Decreased steroid hormone production occurs for selenium concentrations equal or lower than 5 nM. The absence of changes in StAR mRNA content suggests that selenium deficiency does not affect cholesterol access to the mitochondria.
