Steroidogenic factor 1 and the central nervous system

J Neuroendocrinol. 2012 Jan;24(1):225-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02174.x.

Abstract

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; officially designated NR5a1) is a member of a nuclear receptor superfamily with important roles in the development of endocrine systems. Studies with global and tissue-specific (i.e. central nervous system) knockout mice have revealed several roles of SF-1 in brain. These include morphological effects on the development of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and functional effects on body weight regulation through modulation of physical activity, anxiety-like behaviours and female sexual behaviours. Although such defects are almost certainly a result of the absence of SF-1 acting as a transcription factor in the hypothalamus, global SF-1 knockout mice also represent a model for studying the sex differences in the brain that develop in the absence of exposure to foetal sex steroid hormones as a result of the absence of gonads. In the present review, current knowledge of the roles of SF-1 protein in the central nervous system is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Steroidogenic Factor 1