Fig. 4
From: Relationship between Advanced Glycation End Products and Steroidogenesis in PCOS
A diagram of pathways by which AGEs affect genes involved in steroid synthesis and follicular development. AGEs induce LHR mRNA expression and alter LH hormone action by inappropriate activation of ERK1/2 pathway. The interaction of AGEs with its cell membrane receptor RAGE induces StAR (Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein), P450scc (cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme), CYP17A1 (17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17, 20 lyase), and 3β-HSD (3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) mRNA expression levels. AGE-RAGE interaction also induces AMHR-II mRNA levels and increases SMAD 1/5/8 phosphorylation (AMH pathway). AGEs: advanced glycation end-products; RAGE: receptor for advanced glycation end-products; AMH: anti-Mullerian hormone