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Robitaille J, Langlois VS. Consequences of steroid-5α-reductase deficiency and inhibition in vertebrates. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 290:113400. [PMID: 31981690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In 1974, a lack of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), the most potent androgen across species except for fish, was shown to be the origin of a type of pseudohermaphrodism in which boys have female-like external genitalia. This human intersex condition is linked to a mutation in the steroid-5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5α2) gene, which usually produces an important enzyme capable of reducing the Δ4-ene of steroid C-19 and C-21 into a 5α-stereoisomer. Seeing the potential of SRD5α2 as a target for androgen synthesis, pharmaceutical companies developed 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), such as finasteride (FIN) and dutasteride (DUT) to target SRD5α2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. In addition to human treatment, the development of 5ARIs also enabled further research of SRD5α functions. Therefore, this review details the morphological, physiological, and molecular effects of the lack of SRD5α activity induced by both SRD5α mutations and inhibitor exposures across species. More specifically, data highlights 1) the role of 5α-DHT in the development of male secondary sexual organs in vertebrates and sex determination in non-mammalian vertebrates, 2) the role of SRD5α1 in the synthesis of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol), which are involved in anxiety and sexual behavior, respectively, and 3) the role of SRD5α3 in N-glycosylation. This review also features the lesser known functions of SRD5αs in steroid degradation in the uterus during pregnancy and glucocorticoid clearance in the liver. Additionally, the review describes the regulation of SRD5αs by the receptors of androgens, progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormones, as well as their differential DNA methylation. Factors known to be involved in their differential methylation are age, inflammation, and mental stimulation. Overall, this review helps shed light on the various essential functions of SRD5αs across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Robitaille
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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2
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Krentzel AA, Ikeda MZ, Oliver TJ, Koroveshi E, Remage-Healey L. Acute neuroestrogen blockade attenuates song-induced immediate early gene expression in auditory regions of male and female zebra finches. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 206:15-31. [PMID: 31781892 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01382-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuron-derived estrogens are synthesized by aromatase and act through membrane receptors to modulate neuronal physiology. In many systems, long-lasting hormone treatments can alter sensory-evoked neuronal activation. However, the significance of acute neuroestrogen production is less understood. Both sexes of zebra finches can synthesize estrogens rapidly in the auditory cortex, yet it is unclear how this modulates neuronal cell signaling. We examined whether acute estrogen synthesis blockade attenuates auditory-induced expression of early growth response 1 (Egr-1) in the auditory cortex of both sexes. cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation (pCREB) induction by song stimuli and acute estrogen synthesis was also examined. We administered the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole prior to song exposure and measured Egr-1 across several auditory regions. Fadrozole attenuated Egr-1 in the auditory cortex greater in males than females. Females had greater expression and clustering of aromatase cells than males in high vocal center (HVC) shelf. Auditory-induced Egr-1 expression exhibited a large sex difference following fadrozole treatment. We did not observe changes in pCREB expression with song presentation or aromatase blockade. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that acute neuroestrogen synthesis can drive downstream transcriptional responses in several cortical auditory regions, and that this mechanism is more prominent in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda A Krentzel
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA. .,Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA. .,Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, 166 David Clark Labs, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7617, USA.
| | - Maaya Z Ikeda
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Tessa J Oliver
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Era Koroveshi
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.,Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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Santillo A, Rosati L, Prisco M, Chieffi Baccari G, Andreuccetti P, Falvo S, Di Fiore MM. Aromatase immunolocalization and activity in the lizard's brain: Dynamic changes during the reproductive cycle. C R Biol 2019; 342:18-26. [PMID: 30709696 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to highlight the role of aromatase in the neuroendocrine control of the reproductive cycle of the male lizard Podarcis sicula during the three significant phases, i.e. the pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive stages. Using immunohistochemical, biochemical, and hormonal tools, we have determined the localization and the activity of P450 aromatase (P450 aro) in the lizard's brain together with the determination of hormonal profile of sex steroids, i.e. testosterone and 17β-estradiol. The present data demonstrated that the localization of P450 is shown in brain regions involved in the regulation of the reproductive behavior (medial septum, preoptic area, and hypothalamus). Its activity, as well as the intensity of the signal, is modified according to the period of reproduction, resulting in functional dynamic changes. P450 aro activity and signal intensity decrease in the pre-reproductive period and progressively increase during the reproductive stage until it reaches the maximum peak level at the post-reproductive phase. P450 aro determines a local estrogen synthesis, balancing the testosterone and estradiol levels, and therefore its role is crucial, since it plays an important role in the neuroendocrine/behavioral regulation of the reproductive processes in the male lizard P. sicula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Santillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosati
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marina Prisco
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Piero Andreuccetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Sara Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Di Fiore
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
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Testicular steroidogenic enzymes in the lizard Podarcis sicula during the spermatogenic cycle. C R Biol 2017; 340:492-498. [PMID: 29126714 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), 5α-Reductase (5α-Red), P450 aromatase are key enzymes involved in steroidogenesis. Recently, we showed the expression and the localization of P450 aromatase in Podarcis sicula testis during the different phases of the reproductive cycle, showing its involvement in the control of steroidogenesis, particularly in 17β-estradiol synthesis. Now, we have investigated the presence and distribution of the other enzymes involved in steroidogenesis, i.e. StAR, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD and 5α-Red, during three significant periods of the reproductive cycle: summer stasis (July-August), autumnal resumption (November) and reproductive period (May-June). We demonstrated for the first time that all these enzymes are always present in somatic cells (Leydig and Sertoli) and germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes I and II, spermatids and spermatozoa) of Podarcis testis, mainly in spermatids and spermatozoa. The present results strongly suggest that in Podarcis testis both somatic and germ cells could be involved in local sex hormone synthesis and that 5α-Red and P450 could carry out a pivot role.
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Rosenfeld CS, Denslow ND, Orlando EF, Gutierrez-Villagomez JM, Trudeau VL. Neuroendocrine disruption of organizational and activational hormone programming in poikilothermic vertebrates. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2017; 20:276-304. [PMID: 28895797 PMCID: PMC6174081 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2017.1370083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, sexual differentiation of the reproductive system and brain is tightly orchestrated by organizational and activational effects of endogenous hormones. In mammals and birds, the organizational period is typified by a surge of sex hormones during differentiation of specific neural circuits; whereas activational effects are dependent upon later increases in these same hormones at sexual maturation. Depending on the reproductive organ or brain region, initial programming events may be modulated by androgens or require conversion of androgens to estrogens. The prevailing notion based upon findings in mammalian models is that male brain is sculpted to undergo masculinization and defeminization. In absence of these responses, the female brain develops. While timing of organizational and activational events vary across taxa, there are shared features. Further, exposure of different animal models to environmental chemicals such as xenoestrogens such as bisphenol A-BPA and ethinylestradiol-EE2, gestagens, and thyroid hormone disruptors, broadly classified as neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals (NED), during these critical periods may result in similar alterations in brain structure, function, and consequently, behaviors. Organizational effects of neuroendocrine systems in mammals and birds appear to be permanent, whereas teleost fish neuroendocrine systems exhibit plasticity. While there are fewer NED studies in amphibians and reptiles, data suggest that NED disrupt normal organizational-activational effects of endogenous hormones, although it remains to be determined if these disturbances are reversible. The aim of this review is to examine how various environmental chemicals may interrupt normal organizational and activational events in poikilothermic vertebrates. By altering such processes, these chemicals may affect reproductive health of an animal and result in compromised populations and ecosystem-level effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nancy D. Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Edward F. Orlando
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Vance L. Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Vahaba DM, Remage-Healey L. Brain estrogen production and the encoding of recent experience. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2015; 6:148-153. [PMID: 27453921 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate central nervous system integrates cognition and behavior, and it also acts as both a source and target for steroid hormones like estrogens. Recent exploration of brain estrogen production in the context of learning and memory has revealed several common themes. First, across vertebrates, the enzyme that synthesizes estrogens is expressed in brain regions that are characterized by elevated neural plasticity and is also integral to the acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval of recent experiences. Second, measurement and manipulation of estrogens reveal that the period following recent sensory experience is linked to estrogenic signaling in brain circuits underlying both spatial and vocal learning. Local brain estrogen production within cognitive circuits may therefore be important for the acquisition and/or consolidation of memories, and new directions testing these ideas will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Vahaba
- Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA 01003
| | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Neuroscience & Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA 01003
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Duarte-Guterman P, Navarro-Martín L, Trudeau VL. Mechanisms of crosstalk between endocrine systems: regulation of sex steroid hormone synthesis and action by thyroid hormones. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 203:69-85. [PMID: 24685768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are well-known regulators of development and metabolism in vertebrates. There is increasing evidence that THs are also involved in gonadal differentiation and reproductive function. Changes in TH status affect sex ratios in developing fish and frogs and reproduction (e.g., fertility), hormone levels, and gonad morphology in adults of species of different vertebrates. In this review, we have summarized and compared the evidence for cross-talk between the steroid hormone and thyroid axes and present a comparative model. We gave special attention to TH regulation of sex steroid synthesis and action in both the brain and gonad, since these are important for gonad development and brain sexual differentiation and have been studied in many species. We also reviewed research showing that there is a TH system, including receptors and enzymes, in the brains and gonads in developing and adult vertebrates. Our analysis shows that THs influences sex steroid hormone synthesis in vertebrates, ranging from fish to pigs. This concept of crosstalk and conserved hormone interaction has implications for our understanding of the role of THs in reproduction, and how these processes may be dysregulated by environmental endocrine disruptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Duarte-Guterman
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Laia Navarro-Martín
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vance L Trudeau
- Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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