Regulation of sodium transport by steroid hormones

The main mechanisms involved in the regulation of sodium transport by steroid hormones are briefly reviewed. The respective roles of the apical epithelial sodium channel, which is likely to be the limitant step of steroid-regulated transepithelial sodium transport, and Na,K-ATPase are described. Regulation of these ion transporting proteins by aldosterone and glucocorticoid hormones, probably via a two step mechanism (rapid activation of channels or pumps by unknown regulators, and modulation of the transcription/translation rate of these transporters), is discussed. The mechanisms of mineralocorticoid selectivity, that is, the integrated process allowing a specific action of aldosterone, in spite of high concentrations of glucocorticoids that crossbind with aldosterone to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), are explained, as is the role of the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the differential interactions of MR with steroid ligands and hormone responsive elements of DNA. Finally, synergism between aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone for the stimulation of sodium transport is evoked.