Geranylgeraniol enhances testosterone production via the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway in testis-derived I-10 tumor cells |
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Authors: | Hsin-Jung Ho Risa Yoshida Asagi Ito Misato Maeda Tomoko Goto |
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Institution: | Laboratory of Nutrition, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan |
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Abstract: | Testosterone levels in men decrease with age; this decline has been linked to various diseases and can shorten life expectancy. Geranylgeraniol (GGOH) is an isoprenoid found in plants that plays an important role in several biological processes; however, its role in steroidogenesis is unknown. Here, we report that GGOH enhances the production of testosterone and its precursor progesterone in testis-derived I-10 tumor cells. GGOH induced protein kinase A (PKA) activity and increased cAMP levels and was found to regulate cAMP/PKA signaling by activating adenylate cyclase without altering phosphodiesterase activity. GGOH also stimulated mRNA and protein levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, a downstream effector in the cAMP/PKA pathway. These results demonstrate that GGOH enhances steroidogenesis in testis-derived cells by modulating cAMP/PKA signaling. Our findings have potential applications for the development of therapeutics that increase testosterone levels in aging men. |
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Keywords: | geranylgeraniol cAMP protein kinase A testosterone progesterone |
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