Glucosiduronidation and esterification of androsterone by human breast tumors in vitro

Expression of transcripts encoding steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases in human prostate hyperplastic tissue and the LNCaP cell line

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) enzymes transform many lipophilic compounds to more water-soluble products via conjugation with glucuronic acid. This conversion is responsible for enhancing the excretion of endogenous aglycones such as steroids. To date, several distinct isoforms of steroid UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) have been isolated in the human liver. Among these UGTs, UGT2B7 is specific for estriol and 3,4-catechol estrogens, UGT2B15 glucuronidates 17beta-hydroxy-C19 steroids while UGT2B10 has as yet an undescribed activity. To further demonstrate the presence of UGTs in peripheral tissues we studied the expression of these enzymes in human prostate hyperplastic tissue and the LNCaP cell line. Metabolism studies using intact LNCaP cells in culture indicate the presence of UGT activities involved in the glucuronidation of 3alpha-hydroxysteroids (androsterone) and 17beta-hydroxysteroids (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone). Northern blot analysis of poly(A+) RNA from LNCaP cells and prostate using a UGT2B15 cDNA probe revealed two bands of 2.0 and 2.3 kb. In order to identify more specifically the mRNAs detected in Northern blot analysis we used RNase protection and RT-PCR, although, these approaches did not allow detection of UGT2B7 transcripts. Our studies demonstrate the presence of two UGT activities and at least two types of UGT transcripts in both the human prostate and the LNCaP.

Steroidal fatty acid esters

Several years ago we discovered an unexpected family of steroidal metabolites, steroidal fatty acid esters. We found that fatty acid esters of 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroids, pregnenolone and dehydroisoandrosterone are present in the adrenal. Subsequently, others have shown the existence of these non-polar 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroidal esters in blood, brain and ovaries. Currently, almost every family of steroid hormone is known to occur in esterified form. We have studied the esters of the estrogens and glucocorticoids in some detail, and have found that these two steroidal families are esterified by separate enzymes. In a biosynthetic experiment performed simultaneously with estradiol and corticosterone, we established that the fatty acid composition of the steroidal esters is quite different. The corticoid is composed predominantly of one fatty acid, oleate, while the estradiol esters are extremely heterogeneous. Our studies have demonstrated that the estrogens are extremely long-lived hormones, that they are protected by the fatty acid from metabolism. They are extremely potent estrogens, with prolonged activity. Esterification appears to be the only form of metabolism that does not deactivate the biological effects of estradiol. We have demonstrated the biosynthesis of fatty acid esters of estriol, monoesters at both C-16 alpha and C-17 beta. They too are very potent estrogens. These fatty acid esters of the estrogens are the endogenous analogs of estrogen esters, like benzoate, cypionate, etc., which have been used for decades, pharmacologically because of their prolonged therapeutic potency. We have found that the estradiol esters are located predominantly in hydrophobic tissues, such as fat. Sequestered in these tissues, they are an obvious reservoir of estrogenic reserve, requiring only an esterase for activation. To the contrary the biological activity of the fatty acid esters of the glucocorticoid, corticosterone, is not different from that of its free parent steroid. We have shown that the rapid kinetics of its induction of gluconeogenic responses is caused by its labile C-21 ester which is rapidly hydrolyzed by esterase enzymes. While it appears that the physiological role of the estrogen esters may be related to their long-lived hormonal activity, the role of the other families of steroidal esters is not yet apparent. They, and perhaps the estrogen esters as well, must serve other purposes. Indeed they may serve important biological functions beyond those which we ordinarily associate with steroid hormones.

Unconjugated and glucuronide steroid levels in human breast cyst fluid

The present report deals with the concentrations of C-21, C-19 and C-18 steroids as well as steroid glucuronides, namely androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol glucuronide, androsterone glucuronide, estradiol glucuronide, and estrone glucuronide (E1-G) in breast cyst fluid (BCF). The concentration of the gross breast cystic disease protein 15 (GCDFP-15) was also measured and its value was correlated with concentrations of unconjugated steroids as well as steroid conjugates. The present data indicate that for a large number of unconjugated steroids (namely pregnenolone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androsterone, androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol, estrone and estradiol) there is an important accumulation in BCF. Our data permit us to demonstrate a statistical relationship between the concentrations of DHEA and its metabolites (namely, androstenedione [4-ene-Dione]), thus suggesting an activity of the enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-4-ene-5-ene-isomerase in the breast tissue. Further examination of the relationship between the concentrations of 4-ene-Dione and its metabolites, namely testosterone and 5 alpha-reduced steroid metabolites, as well as their glucuronide derivatives, strongly suggests that the metabolism of androgens in the breast tissue occurs mainly via 5 alpha-reductase and glucuronyl transferase activities. The concentration of GCDFP-15 in BCF found in the present investigation was 2745 +/- 234 micrograms/ml and we have shown that a negative relationship exists in the BCF between E1-G and GCDFP-15 levels.

Wide spectrum of steroids serving as substrates for the formation of lipoidal derivatives in ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells

Recently, several natural steroids have been found to be esterified to long-chain fatty acids (FAE) in various mammalian tissues. The purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of a series of 3H-labeled steroids to serve as substrates for the formation and accumulation of such non-polar derivatives in intact cells, using the hormone-responsive ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cell line as model. All 14 steroids tested were found to be converted, directly or following further metabolism, to lipoidal ester derivatives. The percentage of intracellular steroids recovered as FAE derivatives was usually substantial (14-90%), especially in the case of C-19 steroids (75-90%). The composition of the lipoidal steroid fractions recovered from the labeled cell extracts was characterized by chromatographic comparison with synthetic steroid FAEs and by saponification of the steroid FAEs and identification of the released steroidal moieties. Following metabolism, most steroid substrates were converted into multiple lipoidal esters. Furthermore, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, as well as androst-5-ene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol formed lipoidal diesters in addition to the monoester form. The high level of intracellular steroid FAE accumulation reported in this study suggests that these yet poorly known steroid derivatives may play important functions in the regulation of steroid hormone metabolism and action.

Formation of glucuronides of estradiol-17 beta by human mammary cancer cells

The formation of glucuronides of estradiol-17 beta by human mammary cancer cell lines is reported for the first time. When incubated with [3H]estradiol-17 beta (1 nM) for 16 h, ZR-75-1 and T47-D cells formed estradiol-3-glucuronide and estradiol-17 beta-glucuronide in approximately equal proportions, whereas MCF-7 cells formed E2-3-glucuronide only. Yields of monoglucuronides from MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cells were 0.35 pmol/mg DNA, which represented 20-26% of the yield of estradiol-monosulphates. A HPLC system capable of separating most estradiol monosulphates, monoglucuronides and mixed conjugates, is described.

Formation of lipoidal steroids in follicular fluid

The presence of high levels of lipoidal pregnenolone in follicular fluid has recently been established although no evidence has been presented concerning its possible origin. The following investigation focuses on the enzymatic conversion of non-conjugated steroids into their lipoidal derivatives in preovulatory follicular fluid obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Our observations indicated that pregnenolone, an important precursor steroid, was acylated at a similar rate as cholesterol in follicular fluid. Similar studies were subsequently conducted with serum obtained from a pool of normal women and women undergoing follicular stimulation which showed little difference to the results obtained in follicular fluid. Further studies using dehydroepiandrosterone, androst-5-ene-3 beta,17 beta-diol, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone were were also performed to monitor their respective lipoidal conversion percentages in follicular fluid which revealed a marked difference of conversion rates between steroids. The indirect identification of the lipoidal pregnenolone derivatives formed in follicular fluid was also conducted by incubating radiolabelled pregnenolone in follicular fluid. The fatty acid components of the resulting lipoidal pregnenolone derivatives showed a marked resemblance to those of cholesteryl esters formed in plasma by the enzymatic activity of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. The pregnenolone derivatives were comprised predominantly of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleate, palmitoleate, oleate, linolenate and arachidonate while saturated fatty acids, namely palmitate, constituted 20% of the total lipoidal pregnenolone.

Formation and turnover of long-chain fatty acid esters of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta -diol in estrogen receptor positive and negative human mammary cancer cell lines in culture

Microsomal preparations derived from bovine placenta cotyledons, previously investigated as a convenient source of fatty acyl coenzyme A: estradiol-17 beta-acyl transferase, have been shown to acylate other steroids bearing 3 beta- or 17 beta-hydroxyl groups. In the presence of 0.1 mM oleoyl CoA, the apparent Km values for dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (delta 5-DIOL) were 45, 67, and 20 microM, respectively. Acylation of delta 5-DIOL occurred at either the 3 beta- or 17 beta-positions to give monoesters. Testosterone, estradiol-17 beta, and delta 5-DIOL acted as competitive inhibitors for the acylation of the 3 beta-hydroxyl group of dehydroepiandrosterone (Ki values 71, 75, and 41 microM, respectively). Such data indicate that a single enzyme of wide substrate specificity may be involved in these acylation reactions. When estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative human mammary cancer cell lines were incubated with 10 nM [3H]delta 5-DIOL, intracellular accumulation of delta 5-DIOL long-chain fatty acid esters occurred; rates being higher (p less than 0.001) in ER negative cells (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330) compared to MCF-7 cells (ER positive), and higher (P less than 0.005) in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to ZR-75-1 cells (ER positive). After exposure to 10 nM [3H]delta 5-DIOL for 16 h, the total labeled steroid fatty acid fraction was composed predominantly of delta 5-DIOL-3 beta- and 17 beta-monoesters (approximately 85%), the remainder containing approximately equal amounts of delta 5-DIOL-diesters and dehydroepiandrosterone-3 beta-esters. Subsequent transfer to medium lacking delta 5-DIOL was accompanied by a breakdown of the labeled esters, which was more rapid in the ER positive cell lines. During this period, intracellular free delta 5-DIOL levels rapidly declined in MDA-MB-330 cells but were maintained in MCF-7 cells, presumably by binding to ER. This behavior parallels that of estradiol-17 beta previously observed in these cell lines and further emphasizes the potential importance of the adrenal-derived estrogen delta 5-DIOL in consideration of a hormone-based etiology of human breast cancer.

An estrogen-dependent esterase activity in MCF-7 cells

The presence of steroidal esters in hormonally sensitive tissues lends importance to the esterases which convert the biologically inactive adducts to the parent potent forms. Accordingly, esterase-activities were studied in a human breast cancer model--the MCF-7 cell line. Tritiated estradiol esters- estradiol-17-acetate (EA), estradiol-17-valerate (EV) and estradiol-17-stearate (ES) were tested systematically, but 3 beta-ol esters of androgens, and phorbol diesters were also investigated. All compounds tested, except the phorbol diesters were hydrolyzed either when added to growing cultures or to the 28,000 g supernate of homogenized MCF-7 cells. Among the estrogens, the relative rates of hydrolysis were EA greater than EV greater than ES. The esterase for EA was different as it was not inhibited by saturating concentrations of EV or ES, and unlike the others its activity was stimulated by the addition of estradiol to the culture medium. The antiestrogen keoxifene,[(6-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzo less than b greater than thien-3-yl greater than less than 4- less than 2-(1-piperidinyl)ethoxy greater than phenyl greater than methanone], negated the stimulatory effect. Other major classes of steroids did not influence EA esterase activity. Results of inhibition experiments indicated that the esterases are of the serine active-site types. The significance of the estrogen-dependent esterase activity can be assessed when the natural substrate(s) for the enzyme is elucidated.

Changes in the metabolic pattern of estrogens as a function of age in cultured myometrial cells: synthesis of a lipoidal derivative of estradiol

The effect of ageing on estradiol (E2) metabolism has been studied systematically in cultured ovine myometrial cells from the 2nd to the 25th subculture. Cell monolayers were incubated for various amounts of time with [3H]E2, and metabolites isolated from cells or medium by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The main metabolites identified were estrone (E1), estriol (E3), 16-epi-E3 and a lipoidal derivative of E2 (LE2). The latter had an Rf of 0.90 and was recognized by its comigration with fatty acid on TLC and the release of E2 after alkaline hydrolysis. In contrast to the other metabolites, LE2 was found only in cells and was never secreted in the medium. In "young" cells (2nd subculture) the main metabolite was E1 which represented 16.3% of the total radioactivity after 2 h of incubation and 33% after 8 h both in cells and medium. LE2 appeared very slowly and represented only 13% after 8 h of incubation. In contrast in "old" cells (i.e. 10th subculture) LE2 had become the most abundant metabolite representing as much as 25% of the total cellular radioactivity. This change from one metabolic pattern to the other was progressive and associated with a decrease in 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. LE2 became prevalent relative to E1 around the 5th subculture. In conclusion, ageing in cultured myometrial cells is accompanied by a qualitative change in E2 metabolism, switching from E1 formation (an inactivation mechanism) to LE2 biosynthesis (a storage mechanism).

Steroid sequestration and tightly bound oestrogen-protein complexes in human breast tumours and a breast cancer cell line

Homogenates of breast tumours taken at surgery were prepared in phosphate-buffered medium in the presence or absence of the protease inhibitors N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME, 10 mM) or soy bean trypsin inhibitor (STI, 1 mg/ml). Aliquots (0.25 ml) were incubated in 5 ml medium, with the addition of excess trypsin (2 mg/ml) to experimental flasks. Oestrogen was measured by means of a radioreceptor assay (RRA) based on rat or human uterine cytosolic oestradiol receptor. In oestrogen receptor positive (ER +ve) tumour homogenates, TAME decreased while STI increased ethyl acetate extractable oestrogen in these preparations. The addition of trypsin enhanced yields of oestrogen in the TAME, but not in the STI or control (no inhibitor) preparations. None of these treatments affected RRA detectable oestrogen in homogenates of ER -ve tumours. Suspensions of ZR-75-1 cells, prepared in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate (KRBG) incubated with trypsin also gave greatly enhanced yields of extractable oestrogen. Fractionation of oestrogens from both tumour homogenates and from the cell line showed coincidence of RRA detectable steroid with oestradiol and oestrone, and, particularly in trypsin flasks, very non-polar components were also found. In the cell-line extracts, HPLC fractionation combined with specific radioimmunoassays confirmed the presence of both oestradiol and oestrone. The major extracted component was oestrone. The data suggest the existence within breast tumour tissue of sequestered pools of steroid requiring proteolytic action for their release. One possibility, consistent with reports in the literature, is that the steroids may themselves be directly conjugated to protein. Their presence in ER +ve but not ER -ve tumours strongly suggests some relationship to the development of hormone-sensitive disease. Alternatively, the phenomenon may be associated with the rigid compartmentalization of the paracrine function of the tissue.

The identification, quantification and possible origin of non-polar conjugates in human plasma

The existence and quantification of non-polar conjugates of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and androstenediol in human plasma is described. The plasma level of non-polar pregnenolone conjugate is 200% higher than that of pregnenolone but the conjugates of DHA and androstenediol are 10 and 5-10% respectively of the plasma levels of the unconjugated steroid. Non-polar pregnenolone conjugate concentrations were found to be highly elevated in the plasma of one pregnant subject, and elevated in the plasma of patients with acne and breast cancer. Non-polar DHA conjugate levels were significantly elevated in hirsute patients and were approaching significance for patients with acne. A subject taking the combined oral contraceptive pill had very low plasma DHA conjugate levels. No significant alterations in the plasma levels of the androstenediol conjugates were found. A role for the non-polar conjugates in the aetiology of hirsutism and acne is proposed.

Glucosiduronidation of androsterone by human breast tumors in vitro in relation to the progesterone receptor content

Homogenates of human breast tumors were incubated with 3H-androsterone and the percentage conversions to androsterone glucosiduronate were determined. In addition, separate portions of the tumors were analyzed for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) to see whether conjugation and receptor content could be correlated. Sixteen of thirty-two tumor homogenates formed androsterone glucosiduronate (0.03-5.9%) from androsterone. There was no correlation between ER content and glucuronyltransferase activity. Considering the twenty-six malignant mammary tumors, of the fifteen PR positive types, five (one-third) formed the conjugate. In contrast, almost two-thirds (seven of eleven) of the PR negative tumors formed androsterone glucosiduronate. These correlations indicate a trend, but not of statistical significance.