Immunolocalization of nuclear transcription factors, DAX-1 and COUP-TF II, in the normal human ovary: correlation with adrenal 4 binding protein/steroidogenic factor-1 immunolocalization during the menstrual cycle.

Steroid synthesis in the human ovary is regulated by the temporal and spatial expression of enzymes involved in each step of ovarian steroidogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that DAX-1 and COUP-TFII negatively regulate adrenal 4 binding protein (Ad4BP)/steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1)-dependent transcription of steroidogenic enzymes in experimental animals. In this study the expression patterns of these proteins in human normal ovaries were examined using immunohistochemistry and compared with those of steroidogenic enzymes.

Systemic distribution of steroid sulfatase and estrogen sulfotransferase in human adult and fetal tissues.

Estrogens play a key role in various target tissues. Enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of these sex steroids also regulate estrogenic actions in these tissues. Estrone sulfate (E1S) is a major circulating plasma estrogen that is converted into the biologically active estrogen, estrone (E1), by steroid sulfatase (STS).