Peripheral Berizodiazepine Receptor in Cholesterol Transport
The Role of Peripheral Berizodiazepine Receptor
in Cholesterol Transport and Steroidogenesis
A. S. Mikosha
Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences, Kiev, Ukraine Some data on the structure and functions of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) that performs a cholesterol transport function in mitochondria of steroidogenic endocrine glands are summarized. The cholesterol delivery from the external mitochondrial membrane to the internal one is a rate-limiting stage of the steroid hormone synthesis. The activation or inhibition of the endocrine function modifies PBR characteristics. The major characteristics of the endogenous PBR Iigand are presented. The data on the PBR involvement to cancerogen-esis are briefly summarized. A great body of the information allows one to conclude that PBR may play an important role in the cholesterol transfer through membranes.
