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Murillo Ramos AM, Wilson JY. Is there potential for estradiol receptor signaling in lophotrochozoans? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2024; 354:114519. [PMID: 38677339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2024.114519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptors (ERs) are thought to be the ancestor of all steroid receptors and are present in most lophotrochozoans studied to date, including molluscs, annelids, and rotifers. A number of studies have investigated the functional role of estrogen receptors in invertebrate species, although most are in molluscs, where the receptor is constitutively active. In vitro experiments provided evidence for ligand-activated estrogen receptors in annelids, raising important questions about the role of estrogen signalling in lophotrochozoan lineages. Here, we review the concordant and discordant evidence of estradiol receptor signalling in lophotrochozoans, with a focus on annelids and rotifers. We explore the de novo synthesis of estrogens, the evolution and expression of estrogen receptors, and physiological responses to activation of estrogen receptors in the lophotrochozoan phyla Annelida and Rotifera. Key data are missing to determine if de novo biosynthesis of estradiol in non-molluscan lophotrochozoans is likely. For example, an ortholog for the CYP11 gene is present, but confirmation of substrate conversion and measured tissue products is lacking. Orthologs CYP17 and CYP19 are lacking, yet intermediates or products (e.g. estradiol) in tissues have been measured. Estrogen receptors are present in multiple species, and for a limited number, in vitro data show agonist binding of estradiol and/or transcriptional activation. The expression patterns of the lophotrochozoan ERs suggest developmental, reproductive, and digestive roles but are highly species dependent. E2 exposures suggest that lophotrochozoan ERs may play a role in reproduction, but no strong dose-response relationship has been established. Therefore, we expect most lophotrochozoan species, outside of perhaps platyhelminths, to have an ER but their physiological role remains elusive. Mining genomes for orthologs gene families responsible for steroidogenesis, coupled with in vitro and in vivo studies of the steroid pathway are needed to better assess whether lophotrochozoans are capable of estradiol biosynthesis. One major challenge is that much of the data are divided across a diversity of species. We propose that the polychaetes Capitella teleta or Platyneris dumerilii, and rotifer Brachionus manjavacas may be strong species choices for studies of estrogen receptor signalling, because of available genomic data, established laboratory culture techniques, and gene knockout potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Murillo Ramos
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - J Y Wilson
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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2
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Lai W, Huang S, Liu J, Zhou B, Yu Z, Brown J, Hong G. Toll-like receptor 4-dependent innate immune responses are mediated by intracrine corticosteroids and activation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in astrocytes. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23781. [PMID: 38941212 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301923rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes are important pathophysiologically and synthesize neurosteroids. We observed that LPS increased immunoreactive TLR4 and key steroidogenic enzymes in cortical astrocytes of rats and investigated whether corticosteroids are produced and mediate astrocytic TLR4-dependent innate immune responses. We found that LPS increased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and StAR-dependent aldosterone production in purified astrocytes. Both increases were blocked by the TLR4 antagonist TAK242. LPS also increased 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and corticosterone production, and both were prevented by TAK242 and by siRNAs against 11β-HSD1, StAR, or aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). Knockdown of 11β-HSD1, StAR, or CYP11B2 or blocking either mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) or glucocorticoid receptors (GR) prevented dephosphorylation of p-Ser9GSK-3β, activation of NF-κB, and the GSK-3β-dependent increases of C3, IL-1β, and TNF-α caused by LPS. Exogenous aldosterone mimicked the MR- and GSK-3β-dependent pro-inflammatory effects of LPS in astrocytes, but corticosterone did not. Supernatants from astrocytes treated with LPS reduced MAP2 and viability of cultured neurons except when astrocytic StAR or MR was inhibited. In adrenalectomized rats, intracerebroventricular injection of LPS increased astrocytic TLR4, StAR, CYP11B2, and 11β-HSD1, NF-κB, C3 and IL-1β, decreased astrocytic p-Ser9GSK-3β in the cortex and was neurotoxic, except when spironolactone was co-injected, consistent with the in vitro results. LPS also activated NF-κB in some NeuN+ and CD11b+ cells in the cortex, and these effects were prevented by spironolactone. We conclude that intracrine aldosterone may be involved in the TLR4-dependent innate immune responses of astrocytes and can trigger paracrine effects by activating astrocytic MR/GSK-3β/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfang Lai
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Siying Huang
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Binbin Zhou
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengshuang Yu
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - John Brown
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guizhu Hong
- College of Pharmacology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, China
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Bäckström T, Doverskog M, Blackburn TP, Scharschmidt BF, Felipo V. Allopregnanolone and its antagonist modulate neuroinflammation and neurological impairment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105668. [PMID: 38608826 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation accompanies several brain disorders, either as a secondary consequence or as a primary cause and may contribute importantly to disease pathogenesis. Neurosteroids which act as Positive Steroid Allosteric GABA-A receptor Modulators (Steroid-PAM) appear to modulate neuroinflammation and their levels in the brain may vary because of increased or decreased local production or import from the systemic circulation. The increased synthesis of steroid-PAMs is possibly due to increased expression of the mitochondrial cholesterol transporting protein (TSPO) in neuroinflammatory tissue, and reduced production may be due to changes in the enzymatic activity. Microglia and astrocytes play an important role in neuroinflammation, and their production of inflammatory mediators can be both activated and inhibited by steroid-PAMs and GABA. What is surprising is the finding that both allopregnanolone, a steroid-PAM, and golexanolone, a novel GABA-A receptor modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA), can inhibit microglia and astrocyte activation and normalize their function. This review focuses on the role of steroid-PAMs in neuroinflammation and their importance in new therapeutic approaches to CNS and liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Nie R, Tian H, Zhang W, Li F, Zhang B, Zhang H. NR5A1 and NR5A2 regulate follicle development in chicken (Gallus gallus) by altering proliferation, apoptosis, and steroid hormone synthesis of granulosa cells. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103620. [PMID: 38492249 PMCID: PMC10959722 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Chicken ovarian follicle development is regulated by complex and dynamic gene expression. Nuclear receptor 5A1 and 5A2 (NR5A1 and NR5A2, respectively) are key genes that regulate steroid hormone production and gonadal development in mammals; however, studies on follicular development in the chicken ovary are scarce. In this study, we investigated the functions of NR5A1 and NR5A2 on follicle development in chickens. The results showed that the expression of NR5A1 and NR5A2 was significantly higher in small yellow follicles and F5. Furthermore, the expression of NR5A1 and NR5A2 was significantly higher in follicular tissues of peak-laying hens (30 wk) than in follicular tissues of late-laying hens (60 wk), with high expression abundance in granulosa cells (GC). The overexpression of NR5A1 and NR5A2 significantly promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of cultured GC; upregulated STAR, CYP11A1, and CYP19A1 expression and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) synthesis in GC from preovulatory follicles (po-GC); and increased STAR, CYP11A1, and CYP19A1 promoter activities. In addition, follicle-stimulating hormone treatment significantly upregulated NR5A1 and NR5A2 expression in po-GC and significantly promoted FSHR, CYP11A1, and HSD3B1 expression in GC from pre-hierarchical follicles and po-GC. The core promoter region of NR5A1 was identified at the -1,095- to -483-bp and -2,054- to -1,536-bp regions from the translation start site (+1), and the core promoter region of NR5A2 was at -998 to -489 bp. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified in the core promoter region of the NR5A1 gene, which differed between high- and low-yielding chicken groups. Our study suggested that NR5A1 and NR5A2 promoted chicken follicle development by promoting GC proliferation and E2 and P4 hormone synthesis and inhibiting apoptosis. Moreover, we identified the promoter core region or functional site that regulates NR5A1 and NR5A2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Haoyu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fuwei Li
- Poultry Institute, Shangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Casalechi M, Dela Cruz C, Assis WA, Vieira-Lopes M, Lopes FEF, Francisco AMC, Reis FM. Translocator protein expression and localization in human endometrium and endometriosis: A potential target for a noninvasive diagnosis? Cell Biol Int 2024. [PMID: 38511230 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The limitations of current imaging methods to detect small or superficial endometriotic lesions prompt the search for new molecular targets. TSPO is an 18 KDa protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane, which can be traced by positron emission tomography (PET) using specific ligands. TSPO is located mostly in neurons and inflammatory sites outside the brain. We hypothesized that it might also be expressed in the human endometrium and endometrial-like tissue, being a target for molecular imaging of endometriosis. This prospective cross-sectional study included 28 women with endometriosis and 11 endometriosis-free controls. Endometriotic lesions (n = 49) and normal peritoneum (n = 13) from endometriosis patients were obtained during laparoscopy, while samples of eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis (n = 28) and from control women (n = 11) were collected in the operating room using a flexible device. TSPO mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcription real-time PCR while protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody antihuman TSPO. TSPO mRNA expression was detected in an invariable fashion in all tissue types evaluated; however, TSPO protein was found to be more abundant in the glandular epithelium than in the stroma, both in the endometrium and in the endometriotic lesions. Interestingly, hormone therapies did not alter the expression of TSPO, and its presence was mostly negative in tissues adjacent to endometriotic implants. As a proof of concept, the protein expression pattern of TSPO in endometriotic tissue and along the adjacent areas suggests that TSPO-based molecular imaging might be used for noninvasive endometriosis detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Casalechi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cynthia Dela Cruz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Wiviane A Assis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Millene Vieira-Lopes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Felipe Eduardo F Lopes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Antônio M C Francisco
- Maternal and Child Department, Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí, Pouso Alegre, Brazil
| | - Fernando M Reis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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6
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Gambaryan S, Mohagaonkar S, Nikolaev VO. Regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1239492. [PMID: 37674612 PMCID: PMC10478253 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1239492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is one of the key players in the regulation of blood volume and blood pressure. Dysfunction of this system is connected with cardiovascular and renal diseases. Regulation of RAAS is under the control of multiple intracellular mechanisms. Cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases are the major regulators of this system since they control expression and activity of renin and aldosterone. In this review, we summarize known mechanisms by which cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases regulate renin gene expression, secretion of renin granules from juxtaglomerular cells and aldosterone production from zona glomerulosa cells of adrenal gland. We also discuss several open questions which deserve future attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan Gambaryan
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sanika Mohagaonkar
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Viacheslav O. Nikolaev
- Institute of Experimental Cardiovascular Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
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7
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Kumar GG, Kilari EK, Nelli G, Salleh N. Oral administration of Turnera diffusa willd. ex Schult. extract ameliorates steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis impairment in the testes of rats with type-2 diabetes mellitus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 314:116638. [PMID: 37187362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult. (T. diffusa) has traditionally been used to treat male reproductive dysfunction and have aphrodisiac properties. AIMS OF THE STUDY This study aims to investigate the ability of T. diffusa to ameliorate the impairment in testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in DM that might help to improve testicular function, and subsequently restore male fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS DM-induced adult male rats were given 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day T. diffusa leaf extract orally for 28 consecutive days. Rats were then sacrificed; sperm and testes were harvested and sperm parameter analysis were performed. Histo-morphological changes in the testes were observed. Biochemical assays were performed to measure testosterone and testicular oxidative stress levels. Immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence were used to monitor oxidative stress and inflammation levels in testes as well as Sertoli and steroidogenic marker proteins' expression. RESULTS Treatment with T. diffusa restores sperm count, motility, and viability near normal and reduces sperm morphological abnormalities and sperm DNA fragmentation in diabetic rats. T. diffusa treatment also reduces testicular NOX-2 and lipid peroxidation levels, increases testicular antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities, ameliorates testicular inflammation via downregulating NF-ΚB, p-Ikkβ and TNF-α and upregulating IκBα expression. In diabetic rats, T. diffusa treatment increases testicular steroidogenic proteins (StAR, CYP11A1, SHBG, and ARA54, 3 and 17β-HSD) and plasma testosterone levels. Furthermore, in diabetic rats treated with T. diffusa, Sertoli cell marker proteins including Connexin 43, N-cadherin, and occludin levels in the testes were elevated. CONCLUSION T. diffusa treatment could help to ameliorate the detrimental effects of DM on the testes, thus this plant has potential to be used to restore male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowri Gopa Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Eswar Kumar Kilari
- Pharmacology Division, A.U. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530 003, India
| | - Giribabu Nelli
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Naguib Salleh
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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8
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Goicoechea L, Conde de la Rosa L, Torres S, García-Ruiz C, Fernández-Checa JC. Mitochondrial cholesterol: Metabolism and impact on redox biology and disease. Redox Biol 2023; 61:102643. [PMID: 36857930 PMCID: PMC9989693 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is a crucial component of membrane bilayers by regulating their structural and functional properties. Cholesterol traffics to different cellular compartments including mitochondria, whose cholesterol content is low compared to other cell membranes. Despite the limited availability of cholesterol in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM), the metabolism of cholesterol in the IMM plays important physiological roles, acting as the precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones and neurosteroids in steroidogenic tissues and specific neurons, respectively, or the synthesis of bile acids through an alternative pathway in the liver. Accumulation of cholesterol in mitochondria above physiological levels has a negative impact on mitochondrial function through several mechanisms, including the limitation of crucial antioxidant defenses, such as the glutathione redox cycle, increased generation of reactive oxygen species and consequent oxidative modification of cardiolipin, and defective assembly of respiratory supercomplexes. These adverse consequences of increased mitochondrial cholesterol trafficking trigger the onset of oxidative stress and cell death, and, ultimately, contribute to the development of diverse diseases, including metabolic liver diseases (i.e. fatty liver disease and liver cancer), as well as lysosomal disorders (i.e. Niemann-Pick type C disease) and neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer's disease). In this review, we summarize the metabolism and regulation of mitochondrial cholesterol and its potential impact on liver and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Goicoechea
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Conde de la Rosa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Torres
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen García-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - José C Fernández-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain; Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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Shi W, Liu Y, Jin Q, Wu M, Sun Q, Li Z, Liu W. Effects of Aerobic Exercise Combined with Oyster Peptide Supplement on the Formation of CTX-induced Late-Onset Hypogonadism in Male Rats. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1291-1305. [PMID: 36097247 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise (AE) training and/or oyster peptide (OP) supplementation on the formation of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). AE training and/or OP supplement was performed during Cytoxan (CTX)-induced LOH formation in male SD rats for 6 consecutive weeks. Low dose of CTX could decrease mating times, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) in serum and TT, androgen receptor (AR), androgen binding protein (ABP), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in testicle, but increase capture latency, mating latency, and malondialdehyde, and downregulate the mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR), P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and StAR-related lipid transfer domain 7 (StARD7) in testicle. Every change was altered by AE training combined with OP supplement significantly, except for serum LH. Moreover, the effect of AE training combined with OP supplement was better than that of AE training on serum TT, FSH, testicular TT, mating latency, capture times, and mating times. AE training combined with OP supplement during CTX-induced LOH formation can prevent the LOH development by enhancing pituitary-gonads axis's function and reducing testicular oxidative stress to promote testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Shi
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Qiguan Jin
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China.
| | - Meitong Wu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Qizheng Sun
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Zheng Li
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225127, China
| | - Wenying Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Agro Biomass Recycling & Valorizing, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100015, China.
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10
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Wang L, Wu D, Yu Z, Huang S, Zhang J. Hormone-mediated multi- and trans-generational reproductive toxicities of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate on Caenorhabditis elegans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160958. [PMID: 36535467 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) are emergent pollutants and their reproductive toxicities show hormesis, earning attentions on their environmental risk. Yet, their reproductive effects over generations and the mechanisms were seldom explored. In the present study, the reproductive effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C2mim]PF6) on Caenorhabditis elegans were measured in 11 continuously exposed generations (F1 to F11) to explore the multi-generational effects, and also in the non-exposed generations of F1 and F11 (i.e., their great-grand-daughters, T4 and T4') to explore the trans-generational effects. In multi-generational reproductive effects, there were concentration-dependent hormetic effects with hazard-benefit alteration between low and high concentrations (e.g., in F3). There were also generation-dependent hormetic effects with hazard-benefit alterations over generations (e.g., between F4 and F5, between F8 and F9, and between F10 and F11). Meanwhile, the results also showed benefit-hazard alteration between F2 and F3, between F6 and F7, and between F9 and F10. Trans-generational effects showed common inhibitions in T4 and T4' at both low and high concentrations. In the biochemical analysis, hormones and hormone-like substances including progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), prostaglandin (PG) and testosterone (T) showed multi- and trans-generational changes with inhibition and stimulation, which contributed to the reproductive outcomes in each generation. Such contribution was also observed in the hormones' precursor cholesterol and the proteins that are essential for reproduction including vitellogenin (Vn) and major sperm protein (MSP). Moreover, the biochemicals showed significant involvement in the connection among generations. Furthermore, the multi- and trans-generational effects of [C2mim]PF6 and histidine showed similar modes of actions despite some differences, implying the contribution of their shared imidazole structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, PR China; Jiaxing Tongji Institute for Environment, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314051, PR China
| | - Di Wu
- Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, PR China
| | - Zhenyang Yu
- Jiaxing Tongji Institute for Environment, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314051, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Shidi Huang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, PR China.
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Miller WL, White PC. History of Adrenal Research: From Ancient Anatomy to Contemporary Molecular Biology. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:70-116. [PMID: 35947694 PMCID: PMC9835964 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The adrenal is a small, anatomically unimposing structure that escaped scientific notice until 1564 and whose existence was doubted by many until the 18th century. Adrenal functions were inferred from the adrenal insufficiency syndrome described by Addison and from the obesity and virilization that accompanied many adrenal malignancies, but early physiologists sometimes confused the roles of the cortex and medulla. Medullary epinephrine was the first hormone to be isolated (in 1901), and numerous cortical steroids were isolated between 1930 and 1949. The treatment of arthritis, Addison's disease, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with cortisone in the 1950s revolutionized clinical endocrinology and steroid research. Cases of CAH had been reported in the 19th century, but a defect in 21-hydroxylation in CAH was not identified until 1957. Other forms of CAH, including deficiencies of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 11β-hydroxylase, and 17α-hydroxylase were defined hormonally in the 1960s. Cytochrome P450 enzymes were described in 1962-1964, and steroid 21-hydroxylation was the first biosynthetic activity associated with a P450. Understanding of the genetic and biochemical bases of these disorders advanced rapidly from 1984 to 2004. The cloning of genes for steroidogenic enzymes and related factors revealed many mutations causing known diseases and facilitated the discovery of new disorders. Genetics and cell biology have replaced steroid chemistry as the key disciplines for understanding and teaching steroidogenesis and its disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter L Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Perrin C White
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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12
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Zhang J, Zheng Y, Yu Z. Reproductive toxicities of ofloxacin and norfloxacin on Caenorhabditis elegans with multi-generational oscillatory effects and trans-generational residual influences. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 95:103962. [PMID: 35998805 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.103962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive toxicities over generations are essential to assess the long-term impacts environmental fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs). In the present study, the multi-generational effects of ofloxacin (OFL) and norfloxacin (NOR) on reproduction were studied on Caenorhabditis elegans from 9 successive generations (F1-F9). Results showed that OFL showed no effects in F1, stimulation in F2 to F4, and inhibition F5 to F9. The effects of NOR also showed oscillation between stimulation and inhibition across generations. Further biochemical analysis demonstrated that the reproductive toxicities of OFL and NOR were more closely connected with total cholesterol (TCHO), progesterone (P) and testosterone (T), than major sperm protein (MSP) and vitellogenin (Vn). Moreover, OFL and NOR also showed significant trans-generational reproductive toxicities in T4 and T4', the great-grand-daughter of F1 and F9. Differences between T4 and T4' and between OFL and NOR, indicated influences of multi-generational exposure and urged more exploration on different mechanisms between FQs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, PR China.
| | - Yungu Zheng
- College of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, PR China; Jiaxing Tongji Institute for Environment, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314051, PR China
| | - Zhenyang Yu
- Jiaxing Tongji Institute for Environment, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314051, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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13
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Koganti PP, Zhao AH, Selvaraj V. Exogenous cholesterol acquisition signaling in LH-responsive MA-10 Leydig cells and in adult mice. J Endocrinol 2022; 254:187-199. [PMID: 35900012 PMCID: PMC9840751 DOI: 10.1530/joe-22-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
MA-10 cells, established 4 decades ago from a murine Leydig cell tumor, has served as a key model system for studying steroidogenesis. Despite a precipitous loss in their innate ability to respond to luteinizing hormone (LH), the use of a cell-permeable cAMP analog for induction ensured their continued use. In parallel, a paradigm that serum-free conditions are essential for trophic steroidogenic stimulation was rationalized. Through the selection of LH-responsive single-cell MA-10Slip clones, we uncovered that Leydig cells remain responsive in the presence of serum in vitro and that exogenous cholesterol delivery by lipoproteins provided a significantly elevated steroid biosynthetic response (>2-fold). In scrutinizing the underlying regulation, systems biology of the MA-10 cell proteome identified multiple Rho-GTPase signaling pathways as highly enriched. Testing Rho function in steroidogenesis revealed that its modulation can negate the specific elevation in steroid biosynthesis observed in the presence of lipoproteins/serum. This signaling modality primarily linked to the regulation of endocytic traffic is evident only in the presence of exogenous cholesterol. Inhibiting Rho function in vivo also decreased hCG-induced testosterone production in mice. Collectively, our findings dispel a long-held view that the use of serum could confound or interfere with trophic stimulation and underscore the need for exogenous lipoproteins when dissecting physiological signaling and cholesterol trafficking for steroid biosynthesis in vitro. The LH-responsive MA-10Slip clones derived in this study present a reformed platform enabling biomimicry to study the cellular and molecular basis of mammalian steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanthi P. Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Amy H. Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Vimal Selvaraj, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; ; Tel. 607-255-6138; Fax. 607-255-9829
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14
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Koganti PP, Tu LN, Selvaraj V. Functional metabolite reserves and lipid homeostasis revealed by the MA-10 Leydig cell metabolome. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac215. [PMID: 36714831 PMCID: PMC9802464 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In Leydig cells, intrinsic factors that determine cellular steroidogenic efficiency is of functional interest to decipher and monitor pathophysiology in many contexts. Nevertheless, beyond basic regulation of cholesterol storage and mobilization, systems biology interpretation of the metabolite networks in steroidogenic function is deficient. To reconstruct and describe the different molecular systems regulating steroidogenesis, we profiled the metabolites in resting MA-10 Leydig cells. Our results identified 283-annotated components (82 neutral lipids, 154 membrane lipids, and 47 other metabolites). Neutral lipids were represented by an abundance of triacyglycerols (97.1%), and low levels of cholesterol esters (2.0%). Membrane lipids were represented by an abundance of glycerophospholipids (77.8%), followed by sphingolipids (22.2%). Acylcarnitines, nucleosides, amino acids and their derivatives were the other metabolite classes identified. Among nonlipid metabolites, we recognized substantial reserves of aspartic acid, choline, creatine, betaine, glutamine, homoserine, isoleucine, and pantothenic acid none of which have been previously considered as a requirement in steroidogenic function. Individually limiting use of betaine, choline, or pantothenic acid, during luteinizing hormone-induced steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells resulted in substantial decreases to acute steroidogenic capacity, explained by intermediary metabolite imbalances affecting homeostasis. As such, our dataset represents the current level of baseline characterization and unravels the functional resting state of steroidogenic MA-10 Leydig cells. In identifying metabolite stockpiles and causal mechanisms, these results serve to further comprehend the cellular setup and regulation of steroid biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanthi P Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lan N Tu
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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15
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Galano M, Papadopoulos V. Role of Constitutive STAR in Mitochondrial Structure and Function in MA-10 Leydig Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6608928. [PMID: 35704520 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR; STARD1) is critical for the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria for hormone-induced steroidogenesis. Steroidogenic cells express STAR under control conditions (constitutive STAR). On hormonal stimulation, STAR localizes to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where it facilitates cholesterol transport and where it is processed to its mature form. Here, we show that knockout of Star in MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells (STARKO1) causes defects in mitochondrial structure and function under basal conditions. We also show that overexpression of Star in STARKO1 cells exacerbates, rather than recovers, mitochondrial structure and function, which further disrupts the processing of STAR at the OMM. Our findings suggest that constitutive STAR is necessary for proper mitochondrial structure and function and that mitochondrial dysfunction leads to defective STAR processing at the OMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Galano
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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16
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Autophagy modulation in resveratrol protective effects on steroidogenesis in high-fat diet-fed mice and H 2O 2-challenged TM3 cells. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2973-2983. [PMID: 35000049 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy dysregulation and oxidative stress play critical pathophysiological roles in developing obesity-related metabolic health disorders. This study aims to investigate how autophagy modulation is related to resveratrol (RSV) antioxidant activities and preventive effects on steroidogenesis decline associated with a high-fat diet (HFD) and oxidative damage. METHODS AND RESULTS Eight-week-old C57BL/6 J male mice were fed with HFD with or without supplement RSV (400 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 16 weeks. The control group was fed with a standard diet with no RSV or the same amount of RSV. Mouse Leydig cell line TM3 cell was used for in vitro studies. Oxidative stress was induced in TM3 cells with H2O2, followed by RSV treatment plus autophagy activator rapamycin or autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, respectively. RSV supplement could upregulate proteins level of StAR and mitochondrial proteins COX4 and mtTFA, indicating the amelioration of steroidogenesis decline and mitochondrial dysfunction caused by HFD. Antioxidants such as GPx4 and SOD2 were improved by RSV as well. The observation of autophagosomes and the changes in expressions of LC3II/I, Beclin1, and Atg7 indicated that RSV could reverse the autophagy defect associated with HFD. 3-methyladenine inhibition of autophagy partially abolished RSV protection on mitochondrial function and steroidogenesis in H2O2-challenged TM3 cells. However, the combination use of rapamycin and RSV did not improve protection on Leydig cells against oxidative damage. CONCLUSIONS The stimulation of autophagy by RSV is closely linked to its antioxidant actions and positive impact on steroidogenesis in HFD mice. The findings suggest RSV is protective against obesity-related Leydig cell impairment.
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17
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Kuai Y, Gao X, Yang H, Luo H, Xu Y, Liu C, Yu H, Wang Y, Zhang C, Ma X, Lu C. Pentachloronitrobenzene alters progesterone production and primordial follicle recruitment in cultured granulosa cells and rat ovary†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:511-520. [PMID: 31616914 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is an organochlorine fungicide widely used for crop production and has become an environmental concern. Little is known about the effect of PCNB on ovarian steroidogenesis and follicular development. We found that PCNB stimulated Star expression and progesterone production in cultured rat granulosa cells in a dose-dependent manner. PCNB activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK3/1) extracellulat regulated kinase (ERK1/2), thus inhibition of either protein kinase A (PKA) or MAPK3/1 signaling pathway significantly attenuated progesterone biosynthesis caused by PCNB, suggesting that PCNB induced progesterone production by activating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP/PKA) and MAPK3/1 signaling pathways. Further investigation demonstrated that PCNB induced Star expression and altered MAPK3/1 signaling in ovary tissues of immature SD rats treated with PCNB at the dose of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg by daily gavage for 7 days, while serum progesterone level was dose-dependently decreased. We demonstrated that PCNB exposure accelerated the recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing follicle pool in ovary tissues, accompanied by increased levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in both ovary tissues and serum. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time that PCNB stimulated Star expression, altered MAPK3/1 signaling and progesterone production in vivo and in vitro, and accelerated follicular development with a concomitant increase in AMH in ovary tissues and serum. Our findings provide novel insight into the toxicity of PCNB to animal ovary function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Kuai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobo Gao
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyan Luo
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chenchen Liu
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yihan Wang
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Cailing Lu
- Department of Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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18
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Ghosh MK, Chen KHE, Dill-Garlow R, Ma LJ, Yonezawa T, Itoh Y, Rivera L, Radecki KC, Wu QP, Arnold AP, Muller HK, Walker AM. Sex Differences in the Immune System Become Evident in the Perinatal Period in the Four Core Genotypes Mouse. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:582614. [PMID: 34122327 PMCID: PMC8191418 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.582614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have used the four core genotypes (FCG) mouse model, which allows a distinction between effects of gonadal secretions and chromosomal complement, to determine when sex differences in the immune system first appear and what influences their development. Using splenic T cell number as a measure that could be applied to neonates with as yet immature immune responses, we found no differences among the four genotypes at postnatal day 1, but by day 7, clear sex differences were observed. These sex differences were unexpectedly independent of chromosomal complement and similar in degree to gonadectomized FCG adults: both neonatal and gonadectomized adult females (XX and XY) showed 2-fold the number of CD4+ and 7-fold the number of CD8+ T cells versus their male (XX and XY) counterparts. Appearance of this long-lived sex difference between days 1 and 7 suggested a role for the male-specific perinatal surge of testicular testosterone. Interference with the testosterone surge significantly de-masculinized the male CD4+, but not CD8+ splenic profile. Treatment of neonates demonstrated elevated testosterone limited mature cell egress from the thymus, whereas estradiol reduced splenic T cell seeding in females. Neonatal male splenic epithelium/stroma expressed aromatase mRNA, suggesting capacity for splenic conversion of perinatal testosterone into estradiol in males, which, similar to administration of estradiol in females, would result in reduced splenic T cell seeding. These sex steroid effects affected both CD4+ and CD8+ cells and yet interference with the testosterone surge only significantly de-masculinized the splenic content of CD4+ cells. For CD8+ cells, male cells in the thymus were also found to express one third the density of sphingosine-1-phosphate thymic egress receptors per cell compared to female, a male characteristic most likely an indirect result of Sry expression. Interestingly, the data also support a previously unrecognized role for non-gonadal estradiol in the promotion of intra-thymic cell proliferation in neonates of both sexes. Microarray analysis suggested the thymic epithelium/stroma as the source of this hormone. We conclude that some immune sex differences appear long before puberty and more than one mechanism contributes to differential numbers and distribution of T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal K. Ghosh
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kuan-hui E. Chen
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Riva Dill-Garlow
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Lisa J. Ma
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Tomohiro Yonezawa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Yuichiro Itoh
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lorena Rivera
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Kelly C. Radecki
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Quiming P. Wu
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Arthur P. Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - H. Konrad Muller
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Ameae M. Walker
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
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19
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Tohamy HG, El-Kazaz SE, Alotaibi SS, Ibrahiem HS, Shukry M, Dawood MAO. Ameliorative Effects of Boswellic Acid on Fipronil-Induced Toxicity: Antioxidant State, Apoptotic Markers, and Testicular Steroidogenic Expression in Male Rats. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1302. [PMID: 33946602 PMCID: PMC8147226 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The study investigated the ability of boswellic acid (BA) to alleviate the testicular and oxidative injury FPN insecticide intoxication in the male rat model. Rats were randomly assigned to six equivalent groups (six rats each) as the following: control rats orally administered with 2 mL physiological saline/kg of body weight (bwt); boswellic acid (BA1) rats orally administered 250 mg BA/kg bwt; boswellic acid (BA2) rats orally administered 500 mg BA/kg bwt; fipronil (FPN) rats orally administered 20 mg FPN/kg bwt; (FPN + BA1) rats orally administered 20 mg FPN/kg bwt plus 250 mg BA/kg bwt, and (FPN + BA2) rats orally administered 20 mg FPN/kg bwt plus 500 mg BA/kg bwt. After 60 days, semen viability percentage and live spermatozoa percentage were decreased, and a considerably increased abnormality of the sperm cells in FPN-administered rats improved substantially with the co-administration of BA. BA had refinement of the histological architecture of testes and sexual glands. Quantitative analysis recorded a noticeable decline in the nuclear cell-proliferating antigen (PCNA) percentage area. FPN triggered cell damage, which was suggested by elevated malondialdehyde and interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factors alpha, and decreased glutathione level. Proapoptotic factor overexpression is mediated by FPN administration, while it decreased the antiapoptotic protein expression. Similarly, BA has shown significant upregulation in steroidogenic and fertility-related gene expression concerning the FPN group. Pathophysiological damages induced by FPN could be alleviated by BA's antioxidant ability and antiapoptotic factor alongside the upregulation of steroidogenic and fertility-related genes and regimented the detrimental effects of FPN on antioxidant and pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam G. Tohamy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt;
| | - Sara E. El-Kazaz
- Animals and Poultry Behavior and Management, Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt;
| | - Saqer S. Alotaibi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hawary S. Ibrahiem
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt;
| | - Mustafa Shukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A. O. Dawood
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
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20
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Pagotto MA, Roldán ML, Molinas SM, Raices T, Pisani GB, Pignataro OP, Monasterolo LA. Impairment of renal steroidogenesis at the onset of diabetes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 524:111170. [PMID: 33482284 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates the association between changes in circulating sex steroid hormone levels and the development of diabetic nephropathy. However, the renal synthesis of steroid hormones during diabetes is essentially unknown. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) or vehicle. After one week, no changes in functional or structural parameters related to kidney damage were observed in STZ group; however, a higher renal expression of proinflammatory cytokines and HSP70 was found. Expression of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR) and P450scc (CYP11A1) was decreased in STZ kidneys. Incubation of isolated mitochondria with 22R-hydroxycholesterol revealed a marked inhibition in CYP11A1 function at the medullary level in STZ group. The inhibition of these first steps of renal steroidogenesis in early STZ-induced diabetes led to a decreased local synthesis of pregnenolone and progesterone. These findings stimulate investigation of the probable role of nephrosteroids in kidney damage associated with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina A Pagotto
- Institute of Experimental Physiology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (IFISE-CONICET), Suipacha 531, PC 2000, Rosario, Argentina.
| | - María L Roldán
- Pharmacology, Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Suipacha 531, PC 2000, Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Sara M Molinas
- Pharmacology, Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Suipacha 531, PC 2000, Rosario, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Trinidad Raices
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology and Signal Transduction, Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (IBYME)- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), PC C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Gerardo B Pisani
- Morphology, Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Suipacha 531, PC 2000, Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Omar P Pignataro
- Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology and Signal Transduction, Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (IBYME)- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), PC C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), PC 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Liliana A Monasterolo
- Pharmacology, Faculty of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Suipacha 531, PC 2000, Rosario, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina; Research Council of the National University of Rosario (CIC-UNR), Argentina.
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21
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Jin Q, Ma Y, Shi W, Wang J, Zhao R, Zhang H, Wu M, Liu W. Oyster oligopeptide improving cyclophosphamide-induced partial androgen deficiency of the aging male by promotion of testosterone synthesis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21:268-275. [PMID: 33410288 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oyster oligopeptide (OOP) at different doses on testosterone secretion and its regulating mechanism in partial androgen deficiency syndrome of aging male. METHODS The cyclophosphamide-induced partial androgen deficiency syndrome of the aging male rats were treated with a low, medium and high dose of OOP for 6 weeks. RESULTS Cyclophosphamide could decrease levels of total testosterone and luteinizing hormone in serum, and testosterone and glutathione peroxidase in testis, and increase malondialdehyde, and downregulate the mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, steroidogenic acute regulatory-related lipid transfer domain 7 and P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme in testis (P < 0.05). All these changes were reversed by OOP co-administration with different doses, although, OOP at a low dose did not increase serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and testicular glutathione peroxidase levels. CONCLUSIONS OOP treatment with different doses can effectively reduce oxidative stress in testicular tissue, promote the synthesis of testosterone and then prevent the formation of partial androgen deficiency syndrome of the aging male, with optimal effect at medium dose. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 268-275.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiguan Jin
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yongqing Ma
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Protein and Functional Peptides, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Wenting Shi
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Protein and Functional Peptides, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Renqing Zhao
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haixin Zhang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Protein and Functional Peptides, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Meitong Wu
- College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wenying Liu
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Protein and Functional Peptides, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
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22
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Xie W, Tang Z, Xu L, Zhong J, Zhang H, Han Y, Yuan Z, Weng Q. Seasonal expressions of SF-1, StAR and P450scc in the scent glands of the muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 204:105766. [PMID: 32991988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The steroidogenesis occurs in specific cells and tissues in the mammals which begins with the transfer and intracellular processing of cholesterol converted to pregnenolone. This study investigated the gene and protein expression levels of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) in the scent glands of the muskrats during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The immunohistochemical localizations of StAR and P450scc were identified in the glandular cells and epithelial cells while SF-1 was only expressed in glandular cells during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The gene and protein expression levels of SF-1, StAR and P450scc in the scent glands were remarkedly higher in the breeding season than those of the non-breeding season. The interaction of micro RNAs (miRNAs) and transcriptome results showed that miR-762 and miR-4454 might be the genes encoding (Nr5a1, Star and Cyp11a1) in key biological processes. Taken together, these results suggested that the scent glands of the muskrats potentially owned ability to synthesize steroid hormones de novo, and the steroid hormones might affect the scent glandular functions of the muskrats during the breeding and non-breeding seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Xie
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Zeqi Tang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Luxia Xu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiahui Zhong
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Han
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengrong Yuan
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Weng
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
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23
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Lents CA, Lindo AN, Hileman SM, Nonneman DJ. Physiological and genomic insight into neuroendocrine regulation of puberty in gilts. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2020; 73:106446. [PMID: 32199704 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The timing of pubertal attainment in gilts is a critical factor for pork production and is an early indicator of future reproductive potential. Puberty, defined as age at first standing estrus in the presence of a boar, is brought about by an escape from estrogen inhibition of the GnRH pulse generator, which allows for increasing LH pulses leading to the onset of cyclicity. The biological mechanisms that control the timing of these events is related to decreasing inhibitory signals with a concomitant increase in stimulatory signals within the hypothalamus. The roles of gamma-aminobutyric acid, endogenous opioid peptides, and gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone in negatively regulating gonadotropin secretion in gilts is explored. Developmental changes in stimulatory mechanisms of glutamatergic and kisspeptin neurons are important for increased LH pulsatility required for the occurrence of puberty in pigs. Age at first estrus of gilts is metabolically gated, and numerous metabolites, metabolic hormones, and appetite-regulating neurotransmitters have been implicated in the nutritional regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Leptin is an important metabolic signal linking body energy reserves with age at puberty in gilts. Leptin acting through neuropeptide Y and proopiomelanocortin neurons in the hypothalamus has important impacts on the function of the reproductive neurosecretory axis of gilts. Age at puberty in swine is heritable, and genomic analyses reveal it to be a polygenic trait. Genome-wide association studies for pubertal age in gilts have revealed several genomic regions in common with those identified for age at menarche in humans. Candidate genes have been identified that have important functions in growth and adiposity. Numerous genes regulating hypothalamic neuronal function, gonadotropes in the adenohypophysis, and ovarian follicular development have been identified and illustrate the complex maturational changes occurring in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis during puberty in gilts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Lents
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Reproduction Research Unit, Clay Center, NE 68966-0166, USA.
| | - A N Lindo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9600, USA
| | - S M Hileman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9600, USA
| | - D J Nonneman
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Reproduction Research Unit, Clay Center, NE 68966-0166, USA
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24
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Koganti PP, Selvaraj V. Lack of adrenal TSPO/PBR expression in hamsters reinforces correlation to triglyceride metabolism. J Endocrinol 2020; 247:1-10. [PMID: 32698131 PMCID: PMC8011561 DOI: 10.1530/joe-20-0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Despite being a highly conserved protein, the precise role of the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO), previously known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), remains elusive. The void created by studies that overturned a presumptive model that described TSPO/PBR as a mitochondrial cholesterol transporter for steroidogenesis has been filled with evidence that it can affect mitochondrial metabolic functions across different model systems. We previously reported that TSPO/PBR deficient steroidogenic cells upregulate mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and presented a strong positive correlation between TSPO/PBR expression and tissues active in triglyceride metabolism or lipid storage. Nevertheless, the highlighting of inconsistencies in prior work has provoked reprisals that threaten to stifle progress. One frequent factoid presented as being supportive of a cholesterol import function is that there are no steroid-synthesizing cell types without high TSPO/PBR expression. In this study, we examine the hamster adrenal gland that is devoid of lipid droplets in the cortex and largely relies on de novo cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake for steroidogenesis. We find that Tspo expression in the hamster adrenal is imperceptible compared to the mouse. This observation is consistent with a substantially low expression of Cpt1a in the hamster adrenal, indicating minimal mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity compared to the mouse. These findings provide further reinforcement that the much sought-after mechanism of TSPO/PBR function remains correlated with the extent of cellular triglyceride metabolism. Thus, TSPO/PBR could have a homeostatic function relevant only to steroidogenic systems that manage triglycerides associated with lipid droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanthi P. Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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25
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Gliozzi M, Musolino V, Bosco F, Scicchitano M, Scarano F, Nucera S, Zito MC, Ruga S, Carresi C, Macrì R, Guarnieri L, Maiuolo J, Tavernese A, Coppoletta AR, Nicita C, Mollace R, Palma E, Muscoli C, Belzung C, Mollace V. Cholesterol homeostasis: Researching a dialogue between the brain and peripheral tissues. Pharmacol Res 2020; 163:105215. [PMID: 33007421 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol homeostasis is a highly regulated process in human body because of its several functions underlying the biology of cell membranes, the synthesis of all steroid hormones and bile acids and the need of trafficking lipids destined to cell metabolism. In particular, it has been recognized that peripheral and central nervous system cholesterol metabolism are separated by the blood brain barrier and are regulated independently; indeed, peripherally, it depends on the balance between dietary intake and hepatic synthesis on one hand and its degradation on the other, whereas in central nervous system it is synthetized de novo to ensure brain physiology. In view of this complex metabolism and its relevant functions in mammalian, impaired levels of cholesterol can induce severe cellular dysfunction leading to metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of cholesterol homeostasis in health and disease highlighting new intriguing aspects of the cross talk between its central and peripheral metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Gliozzi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Musolino
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Francesca Bosco
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Miriam Scicchitano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Federica Scarano
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Saverio Nucera
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Maria Caterina Zito
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Cristina Carresi
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Roberta Macrì
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Lorenza Guarnieri
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Jessica Maiuolo
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Tavernese
- Division of Cardiology, University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Rita Coppoletta
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Caterina Nicita
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Rocco Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Carolina Muscoli
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH) - Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Via di Valcannuta, Rome, Italy.
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26
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Chen F, Lu H, Chen P, Zhao X, Guan X, Liang Q, Zirkin BR, Ye L, Chen H. Acute effects of the translocator protein drug ligand FGIN-1-27 on serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in male Sprague-Dawley rats†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:824-832. [PMID: 30299464 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We reported that FGIN-1-27 (N,N-dihexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)indole-3-acetamide, FGIN), a synthetic ligand for translocator protein (TSPO, 18 kDa), increased serum testosterone levels in young and aged Brown Norway rats after its administration daily for 10 days. It is not known, however, how soon after treatment with FGIN serum testosterone rises, how long levels remain elevated after cessation of treatment, or whether the drug acts solely through TSPO. Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats received a single ip dose of FGIN (1 mg/kg BW). Serial blood samples were collected, and serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were assessed hourly throughout 24 h. Testosterone concentration was maximal by 3 h, remained significantly higher than the controls at 10 h, and returned to the control level by 24 h. Consistent with the in vivo study, culturing isolated Leydig cells with either FGIN (40 μM) or LH (0.1 ng/ml) resulted in significantly increased testosterone production by 30 min, and the stimulatory effects persisted through 48 h. At a very early (15 min) treatment time, however, FGIN significantly increased testosterone production but LH had not yet done so. Surprisingly, in vivo treatment with FGIN not only increased serum testosterone but also serum LH concentration, raising the possibility that FGIN may increase serum testosterone concentration by dual mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenfen Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Hemin Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xingxing Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Lab of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Xiaojui Guan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Lab of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Qingquan Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Lab of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Leping Ye
- Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Haolin Chen
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Zhejiang Province Key Lab of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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27
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Tong J, Williams B, Rusjan PM, Mizrahi R, Lacapère JJ, McCluskey T, Furukawa Y, Guttman M, Ang LC, Boileau I, Meyer JH, Kish SJ. Concentration, distribution, and influence of aging on the 18 kDa translocator protein in human brain: Implications for brain imaging studies. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2020; 40:1061-1076. [PMID: 31220997 PMCID: PMC7181090 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19858003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the translocator protein (TSPO) is widely used as a biomarker of microglial activation. However, TSPO protein concentration in human brain has not been optimally quantified nor has its regional distribution been compared to TSPO binding. We determined TSPO protein concentration, change with age, and regional distribution by quantitative immunoblotting in autopsied human brain. Brain TSPO protein concentration (>0.1 ng/µg protein) was higher than those reported by in vitro binding assays by at least 2 to 70 fold. TSPO protein distributed widely in both gray and white matter regions, with distribution in major gray matter areas ranked generally similar to that of PET binding in second-generation radiotracer studies. TSPO protein concentration in frontal cortex was high at birth, declined precipitously during the first three months, and increased modestly during adulthood/senescence (10%/decade; vs. 30% for comparison astrocytic marker GFAP). As expected, TSPO protein levels were significantly increased (+114%) in degenerating putamen in multiple system atrophy, providing further circumstantial support for TSPO as a gliosis marker. Overall, findings show some similarities between TSPO protein and PET binding characteristics in the human brain but also suggest that part of the TSPO protein pool might be less available for radioligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchao Tong
- Preclinical Imaging, Research Imaging
Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging
Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Junchao Tong, Preclinical Imaging, Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8,
Canada.
| | - Belinda Williams
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging
Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Addiction Imaging Research Group,
Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada
| | - Pablo M. Rusjan
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean-Jacques Lacapère
- Sorbonne Universités-UPMC University of
Paris 06, Département de Chimie, École Normale Supérieure-PSL Research University,
Paris, France
| | - Tina McCluskey
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging
Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yoshiaki Furukawa
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo Tokyo
Koto Geriatric Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, University & Post
Graduate University of Juntendo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mark Guttman
- Centre for Movement Disorders, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada
| | - Lee-Cyn Ang
- Division of Neuropathology, London
Health Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Addiction Imaging Research Group,
Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada
| | - Jeffrey H Meyer
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen J Kish
- Human Brain Laboratory, Research Imaging
Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre and Campbell
Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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28
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Arenas F, Castro F, Nuñez S, Gay G, Garcia-Ruiz C, Fernandez-Checa JC. STARD1 and NPC1 expression as pathological markers associated with astrogliosis in post-mortem brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:571-592. [PMID: 31902793 PMCID: PMC6977657 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of complex etiology, while Down syndrome (DS) is considered a genetically determined form of AD. Alterations in cholesterol homeostasis have been linked to AD although the role in this association is not well understood. Increased expression of STARD1 and NPC1, which are involved in intracellular cholesterol trafficking, has been reported in experimental AD models but not in patients with AD. Here we analyzed endolysosomal/mitochondrial cholesterol homeostasis, expression of NPC1 and STARD1 and correlation with pathological markers of AD in cortex and hippocampus from post-mortem brains from patients with AD and DS. NPC1 expression was observed in hippocampus from patients with AD and DS. Moreover, STARD1 expression increased in hippocampus and cortex from patients with AD and DS, respectively, and its immunoreactivity discriminated controls from AD or DS with a better accuracy than Aβ42. Hippocampal areas stained with the recombinant GST-PFO probe showed increased mitochondrial cholesterol within astrocytes of brains from patients with AD and DS-brains compared to controls. Lysosomal cholesterol accumulation within hippocampal astrocytes was higher in DS than in AD. These data revealed increased intracellular cholesterol loading in hippocampus from patient with AD and DS and suggest that STARD1 could be a potential pre-clinical marker associated with early stages of AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Arenas
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernanda Castro
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Nuñez
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Gay
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcia-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
- Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jose C. Fernandez-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic I Provincial de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
- Research Center for ALPD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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29
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Selvaraj V, Morohaku K, Koganti PP, Zhang J, He W, Quirk SM, Stocco DM. Commentary: Amhr2-Cre-Mediated Global Tspo Knockout. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:472. [PMID: 32793121 PMCID: PMC7393387 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Vimal Selvaraj
| | - Kanako Morohaku
- Division of Animal Science, School of Science and Technology, Institute of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan
| | - Prasanthi P. Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, Research Center on Pediatric Development Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei He
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, Research Center on Pediatric Development Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Susan M. Quirk
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Douglas M. Stocco
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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30
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GABA-A receptor modulating steroids in acute and chronic stress; relevance for cognition and dementia? Neurobiol Stress 2019; 12:100206. [PMID: 31921942 PMCID: PMC6948369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction, dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are increasing as the population worldwide ages. Therapeutics for these conditions is an unmet need. This review focuses on the role of the positive GABA-A receptor modulating steroid allopregnanolone (APα), it's role in underlying mechanisms for impaired cognition and of AD, and to determine options for therapy of AD. On one hand, APα given intermittently promotes neurogenesis, decreases AD-related pathology and improves cognition. On the other, continuous exposure of APα impairs cognition and deteriorates AD pathology. The disparity between these two outcomes led our groups to analyze the mechanisms underlying the difference. We conclude that the effects of APα depend on administration pattern and that chronic slightly increased APα exposure is harmful to cognitive function and worsens AD pathology whereas single administrations with longer intervals improve cognition and decrease AD pathology. These collaborative assessments provide insights for the therapeutic development of APα and APα antagonists for AD and provide a model for cross laboratory collaborations aimed at generating translatable data for human clinical trials.
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Abobaker H, Hu Y, Omer NA, Hou Z, Idriss AA, Zhao R. Maternal betaine suppresses adrenal expression of cholesterol trafficking genes and decreases plasma corticosterone concentration in offspring pullets. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:87. [PMID: 31827786 PMCID: PMC6862747 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Laying hens supplemented with betaine demonstrate activated adrenal steroidogenesis and deposit higher corticosterone (CORT) in the egg yolk. Here we further investigate the effect of maternal betaine on the plasma CORT concentration and adrenal expression of steroidogenic genes in offspring pullets. Results Maternal betaine significantly reduced (P < 0.05) plasma CORT concentration and the adrenal expression of vimentin that is involved in trafficking cholesterol to the mitochondria for utilization in offspring pullets. Concurrently, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, the two mitochondrial proteins involved in cholesterol influx, were both down-regulated at mRNA and protein levels. However, enzymes responsible for steroid syntheses, such as cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 and cytochrome P450 family 21 subfamily A member 2, were significantly (P < 0.05) up-regulated at mRNA or protein levels in the adrenal gland of pullets derived from betaine-supplemented hens. Furthermore, expression of transcription factors, such as steroidogenic factor-1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and cAMP response element-binding protein, was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced, together with their downstream target genes, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, LDL receptor and sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein. The promoter regions of most steroidogenic genes were significantly (P < 0.05) hypomethylated, although methyl transfer enzymes, such as AHCYL, GNMT1 and BHMT were up-regulated. Conclusions These results indicate that the reduced plasma CORT in betaine-supplemented offspring pullets is linked to suppressed cholesterol trafficking into the mitochondria, despite the activation of cholesterol and corticosteroid synthetic genes associated with promoter hypomethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halima Abobaker
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Hu
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China
| | - Nagmeldin A Omer
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,3College of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Nyala, 155 Nyala, Sudan
| | - Zhen Hou
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China
| | - Abdulrahman A Idriss
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China
| | - Ruqian Zhao
- 1MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology & Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 People's Republic of China
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Zirkin BR, Papadopoulos V. Leydig cells: formation, function, and regulation. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:101-111. [PMID: 29566165 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we summarize important discoveries made over many years about Leydig cell function and regulation. Fetal Leydig cells produce the high levels of androgen (testosterone or androstenedione, depending upon the species) required for differentiation of male genitalia and brain masculinization. Androgen production declines with loss of these cells, reaching a nadir at postpartum. Testosterone then gradually increases to high levels with adult Leydig cell development from stem cells. In the adult, luteinizing hormone (LH) binding to Leydig cell LH receptors stimulates cAMP production, increasing the rate of cholesterol translocation into the mitochondria. Cholesterol is metabolized to pregnenolone by the CYP11A1 enzyme at the inner mitochondrial membrane, and pregnenolone to testosterone by mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum enzymes. Cholesterol translocation to the inner mitochondrial membrane is mediated by a protein complex formed at mitochondrial contact sites that consists of the cholesterol binding translocator protein, voltage dependent anion channel, and other mitochondrial and cytosolic proteins. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein acts at this complex to enhance cholesterol movement across the membranes and thus increase testosterone formation. The 14-3-3γ and ε adaptor proteins serve as negative regulators of steroidogenesis, controlling the maximal amount of steroid formed. Decline in testosterone production occurs in many aging and young men, resulting in metabolic and quality-of-life changes. Testosterone replacement therapy is widely used to elevate serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men. With knowledge gained of the mechanisms involved in testosterone formation, it is also conceivable to use pharmacological means to increase serum testosterone by Leydig cell stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Tugaeva KV, Sluchanko NN. Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein: Structure, Functioning, and Regulation. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2019; 84:S233-S253. [PMID: 31213205 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297919140141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Steroidogenesis takes place mainly in adrenal and gonadal cells that produce a variety of structurally similar hormones regulating numerous body functions. The rate-limiting stage of steroidogenesis is cholesterol delivery to the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it is converted by cytochrome P450scc into pregnenolone, a common precursor of all steroid hormones. The major role of supplying mitochondria with cholesterol belongs to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STARD1). STARD1, which is synthesized de novo as a precursor containing mitochondrial localization sequence and sterol-binding domain, significantly accelerates cholesterol transport and production of pregnenolone. Despite a tremendous interest in STARD1 fueled by its involvement in hereditary diseases and extensive efforts of numerous laboratories worldwide, many aspects of STARD1 structure, functioning, and regulation remain obscure and debatable. This review presents current concepts on the structure of STARD1 and other lipid transfer proteins, the role of STARD1 in steroidogenesis, and the mechanism of its functioning, as well as identifies the most controversial and least studied questions related to the activity of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Tugaeva
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - N N Sluchanko
- Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Federal Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119071, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Department of Biophysics, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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Transcriptional Regulation of Ovarian Steroidogenic Genes: Recent Findings Obtained from Stem Cell-Derived Steroidogenic Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8973076. [PMID: 31058195 PMCID: PMC6463655 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8973076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovaries represent one of the primary steroidogenic organs, producing estrogen and progesterone under the regulation of gonadotropins during the estrous cycle. Gonadotropins fluctuate the expression of various steroidogenesis-related genes, such as those encoding steroidogenic enzymes, cholesterol deliverer, and electronic transporter. Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1)/adrenal 4-binding protein (Ad4BP)/NR5A1 and liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) play important roles in these phenomena via transcriptional regulation. With the aid of cAMP, SF-1/Ad4BP and LRH-1 can induce the differentiation of stem cells into steroidogenic cells. This model is a useful tool for studying the molecular mechanisms of steroidogenesis. In this article, we will provide insight into the transcriptional regulation of steroidogenesis-related genes in ovaries that are revealed from stem cell-derived steroidogenic cells. Using the cells derived from the model, novel SF-1/Ad4BP- and LRH-1-regulated genes were identified by combined DNA microarray and promoter tiling array analyses. The interaction of SF-1/Ad4BP and LRH-1 with transcriptional regulators in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis was also revealed.
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Caridis AM, Lightbody RJ, Tarlton JMR, Dolan S, Graham A. Genetic obesity increases pancreatic expression of mitochondrial proteins which regulate cholesterol efflux in BRIN-BD11 insulinoma cells. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181155. [PMID: 30819824 PMCID: PMC6430727 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic β-cells are sensitive to fluctuations in cholesterol content, which can damage the insulin secretion pathway, contributing to the aetiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cholesterol efflux to (apo)lipoproteins, via ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1), can prevent intracellular cholesterol accumulation; in some peripheral cells, ABCA1-dependent efflux is enhanced by promotion of cholesterol trafficking to, and generation of Liver X receptor (LXR) ligands by, mitochondrial sterol 27-hydroxylase (Cyp27A1 (cytochrome P450 27 A1/sterol 27-hydroxylase)) and its redox partners, adrenodoxin (ADX) and ADX reductase (ADXR). Despite this, the roles of mitochondrial cholesterol trafficking (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein [StAR] and 18-kDa translocator protein [TSPO]) and metabolising proteins in insulin-secreting cells remain wholly uncharacterised. Here, we demonstrate an increase in pancreatic expression of Cyp27A1, ADXR, TSPO and LXRα, but not ADX or StAR, in obese (fa/fa) rodents compared with lean (Fa/?) controls. Overexpression of Cyp27A1 alone in BRIN-BD11 cells increased INS2 expression, without affecting lipid metabolism; however, after exposure to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol efflux to (apo)lipoprotein acceptors was enhanced in Cyp27A1-overexpressing cells. Co-transfection of Cyp27A1, ADX and ADXR, at a ratio approximating that in pancreatic tissue, stimulated cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in both basal and cholesterol-loaded cells; insulin release was stimulated equally by all acceptors in cholesterol-loaded cells. Thus, genetic obesity increases pancreatic expression of Cyp27A1, ADXR, TSPO and LXRα, while modulation of Cyp27A1 and its redox partners promotes cholesterol efflux from insulin-secreting cells to acceptor (apo)lipoproteins; this response may help guard against loss of insulin secretion caused by accumulation of excess intracellular cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Maria Caridis
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Lightbody
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie M R Tarlton
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sharron Dolan
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Annette Graham
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Hazell G, Horn G, Lightman SL, Spiga F. Dynamics of ACTH-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription in ATC1 and ATC7 Adrenal Zona Fasciculata Cell Lines. Endocrinology 2019; 160:587-604. [PMID: 30768667 PMCID: PMC6380881 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that mouse ATC1 and ATC7 cells, the first adrenocortical cell lines to exhibit a complete zona fasciculata (ZF) cell phenotype, respond to dynamic ACTH stimulation in a similar manner as the adrenal gland in vivo. Exploiting our previous in vivo observations that gene transcription within the steroidogenic pathway is dynamically regulated in response to a pulse of ACTH, we exposed ATC1 and ATC7 cells to various patterns of ACTH, including pulsatile and constant, and measured the transcriptional activation of this pathway. We show that pulses of ACTH administered to ATC7 cells can reliably stimulate a pulsatile pattern of transcriptional activity that is comparable to that observed in adrenal ZF cells in vivo. Hourly pulses of ACTH stimulate dynamic increases in CREB phosphorylation (pCREB) and transcription of genes involved in critical steps of steroidogenesis including signal transduction (e.g., MRAP), cholesterol delivery (e.g., StAR), and steroid biosynthesis (e.g., CYP11A1), as well as those relating to transcriptional regulation of steroidogenic factors (e.g., SF-1 and Nur-77). In contrast, constant ACTH stimulation results in a prolonged and exaggerated pCREB and steroidogenic gene transcriptional response. We also show that when a large dose of ACTH (100 nM) is applied after these treatment regimens, a significant increase in steroidogenic transcriptional responsiveness is achieved only in cells that have been exposed to pulsatile, rather than constant, ACTH. Our data support our in vivo observations that pulsatile ACTH is important for the optimal transcriptional responsiveness of the adrenal. Importantly, our data suggest that ATC7 cells respond to dynamic ACTH stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Hazell
- Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - George Horn
- Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Stafford L Lightman
- Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Spiga
- Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Miller WL. MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Rare defects in adrenal steroidogenesis. Eur J Endocrinol 2018; 179:R125-R141. [PMID: 29880708 DOI: 10.1530/eje-18-0279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders of adrenal steroidogenesis that impair cortisol synthesis, with compensatory increases in ACTH leading to hyperplastic adrenals. The term 'CAH' is generally used to mean 'steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency' (21OHD) as 21OHD accounts for about 95% of CAH in most populations; the incidences of the rare forms of CAH vary with ethnicity and geography. These forms of CAH are easily understood on the basis of the biochemistry of steroidogenesis. Defects in the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, StAR, disrupt all steroidogenesis and are the second-most common form of CAH in Japan and Korea; very rare defects in the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, P450scc, are clinically indistinguishable from StAR defects. Defects in 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which also causes disordered sexual development, were once thought to be fairly common, but genetic analyses show that steroid measurements are generally unreliable for this disorder. Defects in 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase ablate synthesis of sex steroids and also cause mineralocorticoid hypertension; these are common in Brazil and in China. Isolated 17,20-lyase deficiency can be caused by rare mutations in at least three different proteins. P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is a co-factor used by 21-hydroxylase, 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase and aromatase; various POR defects, found in different populations, affect these enzymes differently. 11-Hydroxylase deficiency is the second-most common form of CAH in European populations but the retention of aldosterone synthesis distinguishes it from 21OHD. Aldosterone synthase deficiency is a rare salt-losing disorder. Mild, 'non-classic' defects in all of these factors have been described. Both the severe and non-classic disorders can be treated if recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter L Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Reproductive Sciences, and Institute of Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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38
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Selvaraj V, Stocco DM, Clark BJ. Current knowledge on the acute regulation of steroidogenesis. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:13-26. [PMID: 29718098 PMCID: PMC6044331 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
How rapid induction of steroid hormone biosynthesis occurs in response to trophic hormone stimulation of steroidogenic cells has been a subject of intensive investigation for approximately six decades. A key observation made very early was that acute regulation of steroid biosynthesis required swift and timely synthesis of a new protein whose role appeared to be involved in the delivery of the substrate for all steroid hormones, cholesterol, from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane where the process of steroidogenesis begins. It was quickly learned that this transfer of cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane was the regulated and rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. Following this observation, the quest for this putative regulator protein(s) began in earnest in the late 1950s. This review provides a history of this quest, the candidate proteins that arose over the years and facts surrounding their rise or decline. Only two have persisted-translocator protein (TSPO) and the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). We present a detailed summary of the work that has been published for each of these two proteins, the specific data that has appeared in support of their role in cholesterol transport and steroidogenesis, and the ensuing observations that have arisen in recent years that have refuted the role of TSPO in this process. We believe that the only viable candidate that has been shown to be indispensable is the StAR protein. Lastly, we provide our view on what may be the most important questions concerning the acute regulation of steroidogenesis that need to be asked in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Douglas M Stocco
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Barbara J Clark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Fan J, Zirkin B, Papadopoulos V. Response to Letter to the Editor: "Dubious Conclusions on TSPO Function". Endocrinology 2018; 159:2530-2531. [PMID: 29757373 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinjiang Fan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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40
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Selvaraj V, Stocco DM. Letter to the Editor: Dubious Conclusions on TSPO Function. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2528-2529. [PMID: 29757419 PMCID: PMC6669408 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
- Correspondence: Vimal Selvaraj, PhD, Department of Animal Science, 204 Morrison Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853. E-mail:
| | - Douglas M Stocco
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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Maillard V, Desmarchais A, Durcin M, Uzbekova S, Elis S. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) effects on proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine granulosa cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:40. [PMID: 29699561 PMCID: PMC5918968 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) belonging to a family of biologically active fatty acids (FA), which are known to have numerous health benefits. N-3 PUFAs affect reproduction in cattle, and notably directly affect follicular cells. In terms of reproduction in cattle, n-3 PUFA-enriched diets lead to increased follicle size or numbers. METHODS The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of DHA (1, 10, 20 and 50 μM) on proliferation and steroidogenesis (parametric and/or non parametric (permutational) ANOVA) of bovine granulosa cells in vitro and mechanisms of action through protein expression (Kruskal-Wallis) and signaling pathways (non parametric ANOVA) and to investigate whether DHA could exert part of its action through the free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4). RESULTS DHA (10 and 50 μM) increased granulosa cell proliferation and DHA 10 μM led to a corresponding increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression level. DHA also increased progesterone secretion at 1, 20 and 50 μM, and estradiol secretion at 1, 10 and 20 μM. Consistent increases in protein levels were also reported for the steroidogenic enzymes, cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1) and hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1), and of the cholesterol transporter steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), which are necessary for production of progesterone or androstenedione. FFAR4 was expressed in all cellular types of bovine ovarian follicles, and in granulosa cells it was localized close to the cellular membrane. TUG-891 treatment (1 and 50 μM), a FFAR4 agonist, increased granulosa cell proliferation and MAPK14 phosphorylation in a similar way to that observed with DHA treatment. However, TUG-891 treatment (1, 10 and 50 μM) showed no effect on progesterone or estradiol secretion. CONCLUSIONS These data show that DHA stimulated proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine granulosa cells and led to MAPK14 phosphorylation. FFAR4 involvement in DHA effects requires further investigation, even if our data might suggest FFAR4 role in DHA effects on granulosa cell proliferation. Other mechanisms of DHA action should be investigated as the steroidogenic effects seemed to be independent of FFAR4 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Maillard
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
- 0000 0004 0385 4036grid.464126.3INRA Centre Val de Loire, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Alice Desmarchais
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Maeva Durcin
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Svetlana Uzbekova
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sebastien Elis
- 0000 0001 2182 6141grid.12366.30UMR PRC, CNRS, IFCE, INRA, Université de Tours, 37380 Nouzilly, France
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Klinge CM, Clark BJ, Prough RA. Dehydroepiandrosterone Research: Past, Current, and Future. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 108:1-28. [PMID: 30029723 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of "oestrus-producing" hormones was a major research breakthrough in biochemistry and pharmacology during the early part of the 20th century. The elucidation of the molecular weight and chemical structure of major oxidative metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) led to the award of the Nobel Prize in 1939 to Adolf Frederick Johann Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka. Considered a bulk androgen in the circulation, DHEA and its sulfated metabolite DHEA-S can be taken up by most tissues where the sterols are metabolized to active androgenic and estrogenic compounds needed for growth and development. Butenandt's interactions with the German pharmaceutical company Schering led to production of gram quantities of these steroids and other chemically modified compounds of this class. Sharing chemical expertise allowed Butenandt's laboratory at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute to isolate and synthesize many steroid compounds in the elucidation of the pathway leading from cholesterol to testosterone and estrogen derivatives. As a major pharmaceutical company worldwide, Schering AG sought these new biological sterols as pharmacological agents for endocrine-related diseases, and the European medical community tested these compounds in women for conditions such as postmenopausal depression, and in men for increasing muscle mass. Since it was noted that circulating DHEA-S levels decline as a function of age, experimental pathology experiments in animals were performed to determine how DHEA may protect against cancer, diabetes, aging, obesity, immune function, bone density, depression, adrenal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, diminished sexual function/libido, AIDS/HIV, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and metabolic syndrome. While the mechanisms by which DHEA ameliorates these conditions in animal models have been elusive to define, even less is known about its role in human disease, other than as a precursor to other sterols, e.g., testosterone and estradiol. Our groups have shown that DHEA and many of its oxidative metabolites serve as a low-affinity ligands for hepatic nuclear receptors, such as the pregnane X receptor, the constitutive androstane receptor, and estrogen receptors α/β (ERα/ERβ) as well as G protein-coupled ER (GPER1). This chapter highlights the founding research on DHEA from a historical perspective, provides an overview of DHEA biosynthesis and metabolism, briefly summarizes the early work on the beneficial effects attributed to DHEA in animals, and summarizes the human trials addressing the action of DHEA as a therapeutic agent. In general, most human studies involve weak correlations of circulating levels of DHEA and disease outcomes. Some support for DHEA as a therapeutic compound has been demonstrated for postmenopausal women, in vitro fertilization, and several autoimmune disorders, and adverse health effects, such as, acne, embryo virilization during pregnancy, and possible endocrine-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Barbara J Clark
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Russell A Prough
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States.
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Fan J, Wang K, Zirkin B, Papadopoulos V. CRISPR/Cas9‒Mediated Tspo Gene Mutations Lead to Reduced Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Steroid Formation in MA-10 Mouse Tumor Leydig Cells. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1130-1146. [PMID: 29300865 PMCID: PMC5793793 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The outer mitochondrial membrane translocator protein (TSPO) binds cholesterol with high affinity and is involved in mediating its delivery into mitochondria, the rate-limiting step in hormone-induced steroidogenesis. Specific ligand binding to TSPO has been shown to initiate steroid formation. However, recent studies of the genetic deletion of Tspo have provided conflicting results. Here, we address and extend previous studies by examining the effects of Tspo-specific mutations on steroid formation in hormone- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive MA-10 cells, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Two mutant subcell lines, nG1 and G2G, each carrying a Tspo exon2-specific genome modification, and two control subcell lines, G1 and HH, each carrying a wild-type Tspo, were produced. In response to dibutyryl cAMP, the nG1 and G2G cells produced progesterone at levels significantly lower than those produced by the corresponding control cells G1 and HH. Neutral lipid homeostasis, which provides free cholesterol for steroid biosynthesis, was altered significantly in the Tspo mutant cells. Interestingly, the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of the Tspo mutant cells was significantly reduced compared with that of the control cells, likely because of TSPO interactions with the voltage-dependent anion channel and tubulin at the outer mitochondrial membrane. Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) expression was induced in nG1 cells, suggesting that reduced TSPO affected STAR synthesis and/or processing. Taken together, these results provide further evidence for the critical role of TSPO in steroid biosynthesis and suggest that it may function at least in part via its regulation of ΔΨm and effects on STAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjiang Fan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Kevin Wang
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
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Effects of silencing INHα gene by RNAi on the mRNA expressions of StAR, FST, INHβB, and FSHR genes in cultured sheep granulosa cells. Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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45
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Arenas F, Garcia-Ruiz C, Fernandez-Checa JC. Intracellular Cholesterol Trafficking and Impact in Neurodegeneration. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:382. [PMID: 29204109 PMCID: PMC5698305 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is a critical component of membrane bilayers where it plays key structural and functional roles by regulating the activity of diverse signaling platforms and pathways. Particularly enriched in brain, cholesterol homeostasis in this organ is singular with respect to other tissues and exhibits a heterogeneous regulation in distinct brain cell populations. Due to the key role of cholesterol in brain physiology and function, alterations in cholesterol homeostasis and levels have been linked to brain diseases and neurodegeneration. In the case of Alzheimer disease (AD), however, this association remains unclear with evidence indicating that either increased or decreased total brain cholesterol levels contribute to this major neurodegenerative disease. Here, rather than analyzing the role of total cholesterol levels in neurodegeneration, we focus on the contribution of intracellular cholesterol pools, particularly in endolysosomes and mitochondria through its trafficking via specialized membrane domains delineated by the contacts between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, in the onset of prevalent neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, Parkinson disease, and Huntington disease as well as in lysosomal disorders like Niemann-Pick type C disease. We dissect molecular events associated with intracellular cholesterol accumulation, especially in mitochondria, an event that results in impaired mitochondrial antioxidant defense and function. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the distribution of cholesterol in intracellular compartments may shed light on the role of cholesterol homeostasis disruption in neurodegeneration and may pave the way for specific intervention opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Arenas
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit and Hospital Clinic I Provincial, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Garcia-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit and Hospital Clinic I Provincial, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
- Southern California Research Center for ALDP and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jose C. Fernandez-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit and Hospital Clinic I Provincial, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
- Southern California Research Center for ALDP and Cirrhosis, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Miller WL. Steroidogenesis: Unanswered Questions. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2017; 28:771-793. [PMID: 29031608 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Until the mid-1980s studies of steroidogenesis largely depended on identifying steroid structures and measuring steroid concentrations in body fluids. The molecular biology revolution radically revolutionized studies of steroidogenesis with the cloning of known steroidogenic enzymes, by identifying novel factors, and delineating the genetic basis of known and newly discovered diseases. Unfortunately, this dramatic success has led many young research-oriented endocrinologists to regard steroidogenesis as a 'solved area'. However, many important and exciting questions remain, especially concerning the mechanisms of cholesterol delivery to the steroidogenic machinery, the biochemistry of androgen synthesis, the regulation and biological role of adrenarche, fetal adrenal development and involution, the roles of steroids made in 'extraglandular' cells, and the search for genetic disorders. This review outlines some of these questions, but this list is necessarily incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter L Miller
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143-0556, USA.
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Differential effects of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) ligand etifoxine on steroidogenesis in rat brain, plasma and steroidogenic glands: Pharmacodynamic studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 83:122-134. [PMID: 28609670 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Etifoxine is indicated in humans for treating anxiety. In rodents, besides its anxiolytic-like properties, it has recently shown neuroprotective and neuroregenerative activities. It acts by enhancing GABAA receptor function and by stimulating acute steroid biosynthesis via the activation of the 18-kDa translocator protein. However, the regulatory action of etifoxine on steroid production is not well characterized. In this work, we performed dose-response, acute and chronic time-course experiments on the effects of intraperitoneal injections of etifoxine on steroid levels in adult male rat brain and plasma analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone and its 5α-reduced metabolites were significantly increased in both tissues in response to 25 and 50mg/kg of etifoxine, as compared with vehicle controls, and reached maximal values at 0.5-1h post-injection. Daily injections of etifoxine (50mg/kg, 15days) kept them increased at day 15. Comparisons between steroidogenic tissues revealed that 1h after 50mg/kg of etifoxine treatment, levels of pregnenolone, progesterone and corticosterone were highest in adrenal glands and markedly increased together with their reduced metabolites. They were also increased by etifoxine in brain and plasma, but not in testis except for corticosterone and its metabolites. In contrast, testosterone level was significantly decreased in testis while with its 5α-reduced metabolites, it was unchanged in brain. Results demonstrate that the modulation of steroid concentrations by etifoxine is dependent on the type of steroid and on the steroidogenic organ. They further suggest that adrenal steroids upregulated by etifoxine make an important contribution to the steroids present in brain. This work provides a precise and complete view of steroids regulated by etifoxine that could be useful in therapeutic research.
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Wang Y, Chen F, Ye L, Zirkin B, Chen H. Steroidogenesis in Leydig cells: effects of aging and environmental factors. Reproduction 2017; 154:R111-R122. [PMID: 28747539 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Serum testosterone (TS) levels decrease with aging in both humans and rodents. Using the rat as a model system, it was found that age-related reductions in serum TS were not due to loss of Leydig cells, but rather to the reduced ability of the Leydig cells to produce TS in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). Detailed analyses of the steroidogenic pathway have suggested that two defects along the pathway, LH-stimulated cAMP production and cholesterol transport to and into the mitochondria, are of particular importance in age-related reductions in TS production. Although the mechanisms involved in these defects are far from certain, increasing oxidative stress appears to play a particularly important role. Interestingly, increased oxidative stress also appears to be involved in the suppressive effects of endocrine disruptors on Leydig cell TS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fenfen Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Leping Ye
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Haolin Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou, Zhejiang, China .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Martins FF, Aguila MB, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA. Impaired steroidogenesis in the testis of leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob -/-). Acta Histochem 2017; 119:508-515. [PMID: 28506466 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The obesity and its comorbidities, including resistance to leptin, impacts the reproductive function. Testes express leptin receptors in the germ cells and Leydig cells. Then, leptin-deficient animals are obese and infertile. We aimed to evaluate the structure and steroidogenic pathway of the testis of deficient leptin mice. Three months old male C57BL/6 mice (wild-type, WT) and deficient leptin (ob/ob) mice had their testes dissected and prepared for analyses. Compared to the WT group, the ob/ob group showed a greater body mass with smaller testes, and alterations in the germinative epithelium: fewer spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The Sertoli cells and the germ cells showed condensed nuclei and nuclear fragmentation indicating cell death, in agreement with a low expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen and a high expression of Caspase3. In the ob/ob group, the sperm was absent in the seminiferous tubules, and the steroidogenic pathway was compromised (low 3Beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein). Further, all hormone receptors involved in the testicular function were down expressed (androgen, estrogen, follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, aromatase, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). In conclusion, the findings indicate significant morphological, hormonal and enzymatic changes in the testis of the ob/ob mice. The shifts in the enzymatic steroidogenic pathway and the enzymes related to spermatic activity support the insights about the failures in the fertility of these animals. The study provides new evidence and contributes to the understanding of how the lack of leptin and obesity might negatively modulate the testicular function leading to infertility.
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Perani CV, Langgartner D, Uschold-Schmidt N, Füchsl AM, Neumann ID, Reber SO, Slattery DA. Adrenal gland plasticity in lactating rats and mice is sufficient to maintain basal hypersecretion of corticosterone. Stress 2017; 20:303-311. [PMID: 28460556 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2017.1325462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased basal glucocorticoid secretion and a reduced glucocorticoid response during acute stress, despite only minor changes in the secretion of the major secretagogue adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), have been documented in the peripartum period in several species. We recently showed that the adrenal gland, the site of glucocorticoid synthesis, undergoes substantial postpartum-associated plasticity in the rat at mid-lactation. Here, we asked the question whether adrenal changes already take place around parturition in the rat and in another species, namely the mouse. After demonstrating that several components of the adrenal machinery mediating cholesterol supply for steroidogenesis, including protein levels of hormone-sensitive lipase, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and scavenger receptor class-B type-1 (SRB1), are upregulated, while hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) is downregulated in the lactating rat one day after delivery, as previously observed at mid-lactation, we demonstrated profound changes in the mouse. In detail, protein expression of LDLR, SRB1, HMGCR and adrenal lipid store density were increased in the mouse adrenal one day after parturition as tested via western blot analysis and oil-red lipid staining, respectively. Moreover, using in vitro culture techniques, we observed that isolated adrenal explants from lactating mice secreted higher levels of corticosterone under basal conditions, but showed impaired responsiveness to ACTH, mimicking the in vivo scenario. These results suggest that mechanisms of adaptation in the maternal adrenal after delivery, namely increased cholesterol availability and decreased ACTH sensitivity, are crucial for the basal increase in circulating glucocorticoids and maternal stress hyporesponsiveness that are typical of this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara V Perani
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- b Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine , University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Dominik Langgartner
- c Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - Nicole Uschold-Schmidt
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- d Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Andrea M Füchsl
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- c Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - Inga D Neumann
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Stefan O Reber
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- c Laboratory for Molecular Psychosomatics, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - David A Slattery
- a Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology , University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
- e Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Frankfurt , Frankfurt , Germany
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