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. 2017 Aug 17;28(4):536–547. doi: 10.1111/bpa.12548

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Alterations in the mRNA expression levels of target genes in anterior cingulate cortex/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Scheme is showing CYP17A1, SULT2A1, HSD11B1 and STAR in the steroid synthesis pathway, A. Box plots are showing the median, 25th–75th percentiles and the total range of the mRNA expression of target genes in ACC/DLPFC. In ACC, mRNA expression levels of CYP 17A1 was significantly decreased in the MDD patients, B (*P = 0.009, −1.85‐fold difference). While an increase in the mRNA expression level of SULT2A1 was found in the MDD patients, C (*P = 0.028, 2.59‐fold difference). In DLPFC, significantly higher mRNA expression level of SULT2A1 was found in the MDD patients, D (*P = 0.009, 1.31‐fold difference). Higher mRNA levels of HSD11B1, E (2.13‐fold difference, *P = 0.028) in the MDD group and STAR, F (1.23‐fold difference, *P = 0.038) in the BPD group were also found. D11–D15 represents individual MDD patients. In contrast to a positive correlation between the mRNA expression levels of CYP17A1 and TrkB.FL in ACC was found in the MDD patients—G, no correlation was observed in control subjects—H or in BPD patients—I. Abbreviations: ACC = anterior cingulate cortex; BPD = bipolar disorder group; CTRBPD = control group matched for bipolar disorder group; CTRMDD = control group matched for major depressive disorder group; CYP11A1 = cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1; CYP17A1 = cytochrome P450c17A1; DHEA = dehydroepiandrosterone; DLPFC = dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; HSD11B1 = hydroxysteroid 11‐β dehydrogenase type 1; MDD = major depressive disorder group; PREG = pregnenolone; STS = steroid‐sulfatase; STAR = steroid acute regulator; SULT2A1 = hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2A1; TrkB.FL = tropomyosin‐related kinase B (full length isoform).