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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, StAR, bioluminescence

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) is a protein involved in the genesis of cortisol, testosterone, estrogen and other steroids. In fact, it is the rate-limiting step in the process of steroidogenesis. StAR is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the outside of the mitochondrial matrix to the inside, where it undergoes chemical processes that turn it into the steroids listed above. The body is thought to increase the amount of StAR in mitochondrial membranes when it receives certain signals in order to create more steroids. My topic involves the mechanism for this upregulation.

Included in

Physiology Commons

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