Evidence for microRNA-mediated regulation of steroidogenesis by hypoxia.

Environmental hypoxia can occur in both natural and occupational environments. Over the recent years, the ability of hypoxia to cause endocrine disruption via perturbations in steroid synthesis (steroidogenesis) has become increasingly clear. To further understand the molecular mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced endocrine disruption, the steroid-producing human cell line H295R was used to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) affecting steroidogenic gene expression under hypoxia.