Circadian regulation of sex steroids in aged skin after menopause

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15416
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Dermatology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Masao Doi 京都大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (20432578)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OKAMURA Hitoshi 京都大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 教授 (60158813) ; Fustin Jean-Michel 京都大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 特定講師 (50711818) ; SASANO Hironobu 東北大学, 大学院医学研究科, 教授 (50187142) ; NAKAMURA Yasuhiro 東北大学, 大学院医学研究科, 准教授 (80396499) ; KABASHIMA Kenji 京都大学, 大学院医学研究科, 教授 (00362484)
• Research Collaborator: YARIMIZU Daisuke ; NAKAGAWA Yuuki ; TSUJIHANA Kojiro ; MURAI Iori
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 概日時計 / 皮膚 / 性ステロイド / ステロイド合成律速酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that the circadian clock regulates expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (3β-HSD), a rate-limiting enzyme of de novo steroid synthesis, and demonstrated that its expression occurs in the sebaceous gland, a sex steroid producing organ in the skin (MCE 2014; MCE 2015). Molecular characterization revealed that expression levels of this enzyme are regulated not only by the circadian clock, but also through stimulus-selective induction of the orphan nuclear receptor, nerve growth factor-induced clone B (EJ 2015). Cutaneously produced steroids are an important source of sex steroids for post-menopausal women. Further investigation into the regulated expression of 3β-HSD may elucidate an important component of the environmental adaptation mechanism of the skin.

Free Research Field

内分泌学