Cordycepin suppresses steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression by reducing SP1 in human granulosa-lutein cells

Cordycepin (COR), a pure compound of Cordyceps, is known as an adenosine analog that exerts many beneficial effects on human health. The steroidogenesis mediated by ovarian granulosa cells is pivotal in maintaining normal female reproductive function. The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) regulates the rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. COR has been shown to stimulate StAR expression in mouse Leydig cells, the steroidogenic cells in the testes. However, the effect of COR on StAR expression in ovarian granulosa cells remains undetermined. In the present study, we show that treatment with COR downregulates StAR expression in a steroidogenic human granulosa-like tumor cell line, KGN, and primary culture of human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. Using specific adenosine receptor (AR) antagonists, our results reveal that the inhibitory effect of COR on StAR expression is mediated by AR-A1, -A2A, and -A3. In both KGN and primary hGL cells, COR activates ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways, but only activation of ERK1/2 is required for the COR-induced downregulation of StAR expression. In addition, our results demonstrate that COR downregulates StAR expression by reducing the expression of the SP1 transcription factor. These results provide a better understanding of the biological function of COR on StAR expression in the ovary, which may lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for female reproductive disorders.