Differentially expressed genes playing a role in sex hormone biosynthesis and metabolism.

<p>Sex hormone biosynthesis and metabolism is accomplished by a complex cascade involving hormones and enzymes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the vitamin D synthesis and the pineal gland hormone melatonin. Since it has been shown that the skin has its own neuroendocrine system these complex interactions may also occur in the skin. They are depicted in Fig 4. The differentially regulated genes involved in this process are indicated in blue if they were downregulated and red if they were upregulated. Abbreviations: DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; DHT, dehydrotestosterone; CYP, cytochrome P 450 family enzymes; 5α-Red, 5α- Reductase; ESR, estrogen receptor; GnRH, gonadotropin- releasing hormone; FSH, follicle- stimulation hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone; <i>KISS1</i>, kisspeptin 1 gene. In bold: endogenous female sex hormones; their affinity for estrogen receptors is marked with * for higher affinity to ESR-α encoded by <i>ESR1</i> and ** for higher affinity to ESR-β encoded by <i>ESR2</i>. ¹ indicates that melatonin decreases the levels of these. ^# Calcitriol increases levels of estradiol.