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Cáceres ARR, Cardone DA, Sanhueza MDLÁ, Bosch IM, Cuello-Carrión FD, Rodriguez GB, Scotti L, Parborell F, Halperin J, Laconi MR. Local effect of allopregnanolone in rat ovarian steroidogenesis, follicular and corpora lutea development. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6402. [PMID: 38493224 PMCID: PMC10944484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57102-1] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a known neurosteroid and a progesterone metabolite synthesized in the ovary, CNS, PNS, adrenals and placenta. Its role in the neuroendocrine control of ovarian physiology has been studied, but its in situ ovarian effects are still largely unknown. The aims of this work were to characterize the effects of intrabursal ALLO administration on different ovarian parameters, and the probable mechanism of action. ALLO administration increased serum progesterone concentration and ovarian 3β-HSD2 while decreasing 20α-HSD mRNA expression. ALLO increased the number of atretic follicles and the number of positive TUNEL granulosa and theca cells, while decreasing positive PCNA immunostaining. On the other hand, there was an increase in corpora lutea diameter and PCNA immunostaining, whereas the count of TUNEL-positive luteal cells decreased. Ovarian angiogenesis and the immunohistochemical expression of GABAA receptor increased after ALLO treatment. To evaluate if the ovarian GABAA receptor was involved in these effects, we conducted a functional experiment with a specific antagonist, bicuculline. The administration of bicuculline restored the number of atretic follicles and the diameter of corpora lutea to normal values. These results show the actions of ALLO on the ovarian physiology of the female rat during the follicular phase, some of them through the GABAA receptor. Intrabursal ALLO administration alters several processes of the ovarian morpho-physiology of the female rat, related to fertility and oocyte quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rosario Ramona Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Daniela Alejandra Cardone
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Fernando Darío Cuello-Carrión
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Leopoldina Scotti
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda Parborell
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Halperin
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Myriam Raquel Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina.
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Sumińska M, Podgórski R, Fichna P, Mazur A, Fichna M. Assessment of steroid enzymes action in children and adolescents with obesity. Steroids 2023; 200:109325. [PMID: 37806604 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109325] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Rising prevalence of obesity has become an important impulse to investigate basic mechanisms involved in regulating the energy balance. It is widely accepted that steroids are potent factors affecting glucose, fat, and protein metabolism. Our study was aimed to analyze differences in the total amount of selected enzymes implicated in steroid metabolism in a group of children suffering from obesity and those with normal weight, further subdivided according to sex and pubertal stage. Data were obtained from 187 Caucasian children and adolescents, including 113 patients (63 girls, 50 boys) with obesity and 74 (34 girls, 40 boys) normal weight volunteers. Standard clinical examinations were performed in both groups. To evaluate the impact of puberty, preadolescent children and those with advanced puberty were assessed separately. Urine steroid excretion profiles were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Children with obesity revealed several changes in in the total amount of steroid enzymes as assessed by the relevant metabolite proportions, compared to their norm weight peers. Girls showed a significant increase in the activity of 11βHSD1, while boys demonstrated a relevant elevation in 20αHSD action. Regardless of sex, children with obesity showed an increase in the activity of 5β-reductase + 3αHSD complex and a decrease in the involvement of 11βOH-lase. The effect is attenuated when consider pre- and pubertal subgroups. We hypothesize that changes in the activity levels of selected enzymes may be a compensatory mechanism to limit the glucocorticoid exposure of key target tissues as well as to improve metabolic control and reduce long-term complications of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sumińska
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes, Auxology and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Piotr Fichna
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes, Auxology and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Mazur
- Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Endocrinology and Diabetes, Collegium of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Marta Fichna
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Sumińska M, Podgórski R, Fichna P, Fichna M. Steroid Metabolism in Children and Adolescents With Obesity and Insulin Resistance: Altered SRD5A and 20α/20βHSD Activity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:759971. [PMID: 34764940 PMCID: PMC8577858 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.759971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in glucocorticoid metabolism may contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Obesity in turn affects the androgen balance. The peripheral metabolism of steroids is equally an important determinant of their bioavailability and activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate steroid metabolism in obese children and to define which enzyme alterations are associated with IR. Clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were determined in 122 obese children and adolescents (72 girls, 50 boys) aged 8 - 18 years. 26 of them (21.3%) were diagnosed with IR (13 boys, 13 girls). Routine laboratory tests were performed and 24h urinary steroid excretion profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Positive relationship between 5α-reductase (SRD5A) activity and IR was found. According to the androsterone to etiocholanolone (An/Et) ratio the activity of SRD5A was significantly increased in obese children with IR, but the difference remained insignificant once the 5α-dihydrotestosterone to testosterone (5αDHT/T) ratio was considered. Furthermore, this relationship persisted in boys but was not observed in girls. The activity of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20αHSD) and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20βHSD) was reduced only in obese girls with IR. Conclude, in the context of obese children and adolescents with IR, we surmise that increased SRD5A represents a compensatory mechanism to reduce local glucocorticoid availability. This phenomenon is probably different in the liver (restriction) and in the adipose tissue (expected increase in activity). We show significant changes in 20αHSD and 20βHSD activity in obese girls with IR, but it is difficult to clearly determine whether the activity of these enzymes is an indicator of the function in their ovaries or adrenal glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sumińska
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- *Correspondence: Marta Sumińska,
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Piotr Fichna
- Department of Pediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Fichna
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Huang CCJ, Kang Y. The transient cortical zone in the adrenal gland: the mystery of the adrenal X-zone. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R51-R63. [PMID: 30817316 PMCID: PMC6675673 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The X-zone is a transient cortical region enriched in eosinophilic cells located in the cortical-medullary boundary of the mouse adrenal gland. Similar to the X-zone, the fetal zone in human adrenals is also a transient cortical compartment, comprising the majority of the human fetal adrenal gland. During adrenal development, fetal cortical cells are gradually replaced by newly formed adult cortical cells that develop into outer definitive zones. In mice, the regression of this fetal cell population is sexually dimorphic. Many mouse models with mutations associated with endocrine factors have been reported with X-zone phenotypes. Increasing findings indicate that the cell fate of this aged cell population of the adrenal cortex can be manipulated by many hormonal and nonhormonal factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge of this transient adrenocortical zone with an emphasis on genes and signaling pathways that affect X-zone cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Che Jeff Huang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Yuan Kang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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5
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Supported liquid extraction coupled to gas chromatography-selective mass spectrometric scan modes for serum steroid profiling. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1037:281-292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Soma KK, Rendon NM, Boonstra R, Albers HE, Demas GE. DHEA effects on brain and behavior: insights from comparative studies of aggression. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 145:261-72. [PMID: 24928552 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Historically, research on the neuroendocrinology of aggression has been dominated by the paradigm that the brain receives sex steroid hormones, such as testosterone (T), from the gonads, and then these gonadal hormones modulate behaviorally relevant neural circuits. While this paradigm has been extremely useful for advancing the field, recent studies reveal important alternatives. For example, most vertebrate species are seasonal breeders, and many species show aggression outside of the breeding season, when the gonads are regressed and circulating levels of gonadal steroids are relatively low. Studies in diverse avian and mammalian species suggest that adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an androgen precursor and prohormone, is important for the expression of aggression when gonadal T synthesis is low. Circulating DHEA can be converted into active sex steroids within the brain. In addition, the brain can synthesize sex steroids de novo from cholesterol, thereby uncoupling brain steroid levels from circulating steroid levels. These alternative mechanisms to provide sex steroids to specific neural circuits may have evolved to avoid the costs of high circulating T levels during the non-breeding season. Physiological indicators of season (e.g., melatonin) may allow animals to switch from one neuroendocrine mechanism to another across the year. DHEA and neurosteroids are likely to be important for the control of multiple behaviors in many species, including humans. These studies yield fundamental insights into the regulation of DHEA secretion, the mechanisms by which DHEA affects behavior, and the brain regions and neural processes that are modulated by DHEA. It is clear that the brain is an important site of DHEA synthesis and action. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Essential role of DHEA'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran K Soma
- Departments of Psychology and Zoology, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, and the Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
| | - Nikki M Rendon
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Centre for Neurobiology of Stress, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - H Elliott Albers
- Neuroscience Institute, and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Gregory E Demas
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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7
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Quast C, Reif A, Brückl T, Pfister H, Weber H, Mattheisen M, Cichon S, Lang T, Hamm A, Fehm L, Ströhle A, Arolt V, Domschke K, Kircher T, Wittchen HU, Pauli P, Gerlach AL, Alpers GW, Deckert J, Rupprecht R, Binder EB, Erhardt A. Gender-specific association of variants in the AKR1C1 gene with dimensional anxiety in patients with panic disorder: additional evidence for the importance of neurosteroids in anxiety? Depress Anxiety 2014; 31:843-50. [PMID: 24390875 DOI: 10.1002/da.22229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurosteroids are synthesized both in brain and peripheral steroidogenic tissue from cholesterol or steroidal precursors. Neurosteroids have been shown to be implicated in neural proliferation, differentiation, and activity. Preclinical and clinical studies also suggest a modulatory role of neurosteroids in anxiety-related phenotypes. However, little is known about the contribution of genetic variants in genes relevant for the neurosteroidogenesis to anxiety disorders. METHODS We performed an association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genes related to the neurosteroidal pathway with emphasis on progesterone and allopregnanolone biosynthesis (steroid-5-alpha-reductase 1A (SRD5A1), aldo-keto reductase family 1 C1-C3 (AKR1C1-AKR1C3) and translocator protein 18 kDA (TSPO) with panic disorder (PD) and dimensional anxiety in two German PD samples (cases N = 522, controls N = 1,115). RESULTS Case-control analysis for PD and SNPs in the five selected genes was negative in the combined sample. However, we detected a significant association of anticipatory anxiety with two intronic SNPs (rs3930965, rs41314625) located in the gene AKR1C1 surviving correction for multiple testing in PD patients. Stratification analysis for gender revealed a female-specific effect of the associations of both SNPs. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest a modulatory effect of AKR1C1 activity on anxiety levels, most likely through changes in progesterone and allopregnanolone levels within and outside the brain. In summary, this is the first evidence for the gender-specific implication of the AKR1C1 gene in the expression of anticipatory anxiety in PD. Further analyses to unravel the functional role of the SNPs detected here and replication analyses are needed to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Quast
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Boucher E, Provost PR, Tremblay Y. Ontogeny of adrenal-like glucocorticoid synthesis pathway and of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the mouse lung. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:119. [PMID: 24580729 PMCID: PMC3944916 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids exert recognized positive effects on lung development. The genes involved in the classical pathway of glucocorticoid synthesis normally occurring in adrenals were found to be expressed on gestation day (GD) 15.5 in the developing mouse lung. Recently, expression of two of these genes was also detected on GD 17.5 suggesting a more complex temporal regulation than previously expected. Here, we deepen the knowledge on expression of "adrenal" glucocorticoid synthesis genes in the mouse lung during the perinatal period and we also study expression of the gene encoding for the steroid inactivating enzyme 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD). RESULTS We performed an ontogenic study of P450scc, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase 1 (3β-HSD1), 21-hydroxylase, 11β-hydroxylase, 11β-HSD1, and 11β-HSD2 expression up to post natal day (PN) 15. The substrate (progesterone) and the product (deoxycorticosterone) of 21-hydroxylase are substrates of 20α-HSD, thus 20α-HSD (Akr1c18) gene expression was investigated. In lung samples collected between GD 15.5 and PN 15, 11β-hydroxylase was only detected on GD 15.5. In contrast, all the other tested genes were expressed throughout the analyzed period with different temporal expression patterns. P450scc, 21-hydroxylase, 20α-HSD and 11β-HSD2 mRNA levels increased after birth with different patterns including an increase from PN 3 with a possible sex difference for 21-hydroxylase mRNA. Also, the 21-hydroxylase protein was observed by Western blot in perinatal lungs with higher levels after birth. CONCLUSION Progesterone is present at high levels during gestation and the product of 21-hydroxylase, deoxycorticosterone, can bind the glucocorticoid receptor with an affinity close to that of corticosterone. Detection of 21-hydroxylase at the protein level during antenatal lung development is the first evidence that the adrenal-like glucocorticoid synthesis pathway detected during lung development has the machinery to produce glucocorticoids in the fetal lung. Glucocorticoids from lung 21-hydroxylase appear to modulate lung ontogenesis through paracrine/intracrine actions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yves Tremblay
- Reproduction, mother and youth health, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Pelletier G. Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Brain: Morphological Aspects. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2010; 181:193-207. [DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(08)81011-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Liu H, Bellemare V, Labrie F, Luu-The V. Molecular characterization of the cynomolgus monkey Macaca fascicularis steroidogenic enzymes belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2007; 104:75-80. [PMID: 17257829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2006.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2006] [Accepted: 10/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Steroidogenic enzymes belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family (AKR) possess highly homologous sequences while having different activities. To gain further knowledge about the function as well as the regulation of these enzymes in the monkey, we have isolated cDNA sequences encoding monkey type 5 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and characterized their enzymatic activity and mRNA tissue distribution. Sequence analysis indicates that these enzymes share approximately 94 and 76% amino acid identity with human and mouse homologs, respectively. Monkey type 5 17beta-HSD possesses 95.9% amino acid sequence identity with human type 5 17beta-HSD. It catalyzes the transformation of 4-androstenedione into testosterone, but it lacks 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity that is present in the human enzyme. This activity seems to be specific to human, since mouse type 5 17beta-HSD does not show significant 20alpha-HSD activity. In addition, monkey and mouse 20alpha-HSD possess relatively high 20alpha-, 3alpha-, and 17beta-HSD activities, while their human counterpart is confined to 20alpha-HSD activity. The monkey 3alpha-HSD possesses relatively high 3alpha-, 17beta-, and 20alpha-HSD activities; human type 1 3alpha-HSD exerts 3alpha- and 20alpha-HSD activities; the mouse 3alpha-HSD displays a unique 3alpha-HSD activity. Quantification of mRNA expression shows that the monkey 3alpha-HSD is exclusively expressed in the liver, while the type 5 17beta-HSD is predominately found in the kidney, with lower levels observed in the stomach, liver, and colon. Monkey 20alpha-HSD mRNA is highly expressed in the kidney, stomach, and liver. Our study provides the basis for future investigations on the regulation and function of these enzymes in the monkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Oncology and Molecular Endocrinology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CRCHUL) and Laval University, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Quebec G1V 4G2, Canada
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Hershkovitz L, Beuschlein F, Klammer S, Krup M, Weinstein Y. Adrenal 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the mouse catabolizes progesterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone and is restricted to the X-zone. Endocrinology 2007; 148:976-88. [PMID: 17122075 DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The enzyme 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) is a progesterone-catabolizing enzyme that is highly expressed in mouse ovaries and adrenals. Although the functional significance of ovarian 20alpha-HSD for the induction of parturition has been defined, regulation and distribution of 20alpha-HSD in the adrenal gland has not been determined. We demonstrate that the expression of adrenal 20alpha-HSD is restricted to the X-zone, a transient zone between the adrenal cortex and the medulla of yet unknown function. Adrenal 20alpha-HSD activity in male mice peaks at 3 wk of age and disappears thereafter, whereas 20alpha-HSD enzyme activity is maintained in adrenals from nulliparous female animals. Testosterone treatment of female mice induces rapid involution of the X-zone that is associated with the disappearance of the 20alpha-HSD-positive cells. Conversely, reappearance of 20alpha-HSD expression and activity in male animals is evident after gonadectomy. Moreover, pregnancy, but not pseudopregnancy, is accompanied by X-zone regression and loss of 20alpha-HSD activity. Pregnancy-induced X-zone regression and -abolished 20alpha-HSD expression is partially restored in animals that were kept from nursing their pups. We found that in addition to its progesterone-reducing activity, 20alpha-HSD also functions as an 11-deoxycorticosterone-catabolizing enzyme. The unaltered growth kinetics of the X-zone in 20alpha-HSD knockout animals suggests that 20alpha-HSD is not required for the regulation of X-zone growth. However, 20alpha-HSD expression and enzymatic activity in all experimental paradigms is closely correlated with the presence of the X-zone. These findings provide the basis for 20alpha-HSD as a reliable marker of the murine X-zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Hershkovitz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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12
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Shimada H, Miura K, Imamura Y. Characteristics and inhibition by flavonoids of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in mouse tissues. Life Sci 2006; 78:2931-6. [PMID: 16376383 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2005.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2005] [Revised: 11/09/2005] [Accepted: 11/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone was stereoselectively reduced to a metabolite 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in the cytosolic fraction from the liver of male mice, indicating that the reduction of progesterone is catalyzed by 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD). The cytosolic 20alpha-HSD activity was observed not only in the liver, but also in the kidney and lung. In liver cytosol, both NADPH and NADH were effective as cofactors for 20alpha-HSD activity, although NADPH was better than NADH for the enzyme activity. On the other hand, 20alpha-HSD activity in kidney cytosol required only NADPH as a cofactor. No significant sex-related difference of 20alpha-HSD activity was observed in liver and kidney cytosols. Flavonoids have been reported to inhibit the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroids. However, little is known about inhibitory effects of flavonoids on 20alpha-HSD activity. Thus, the effects of 16 flavonoids on 20alpha-HSD activity were examined, using liver cytosol of male mice. Among flavonoids tested, fisetin, apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, quercetin and kaempferol exhibited high inhibitory potencies for the 20alpha-HSD activity. We propose the possibility that these flavonoids augment progesterone signaling by inhibiting potently 20alpha-HSD activity in non-reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Shimada
- Faculty of Education, Kumamoto University, 2-40-1, Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan.
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Gildea LA, Ryan CA, Foertsch LM, Kennedy JM, Dearman RJ, Kimber I, Gerberick GF. Identification of gene expression changes induced by chemical allergens in dendritic cells: opportunities for skin sensitization testing. J Invest Dermatol 2006; 126:1813-22. [PMID: 16645592 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cellular changes within resident skin dendritic cells (DCs) after allergen uptake and processing are critical events in the acquisition of skin sensitization. Here we describe the development of a set of selection criteria to derive a list of potential target genes from previous microarray analyses of human peripheral blood-derived (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)-DCs) treated with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid for predicting skin-sensitizing chemicals. Based on those criteria, a probing evaluation of the target genes has been conducted using an extended chemical data set, comprising five skin irritants and 11 contact allergens. PBMCs-DCs were treated for 24 hours with various concentrations of chemicals and in each instance the expression of up to 60 genes was examined by real-time PCR analysis. Consistent allergen-induced changes in the expression of many genes were observed and further prioritization of the targets was conducted by analysis of the same genes in DCs treated with non-sensitizing chemicals to determine their specificity for skin sensitization. Real-time PCR analyses of multiple chemical allergens, irritants, and non-sensitizers have identified 10 genes that demonstrate reproducibly high levels of selectivity, specificity, and dynamic range consistent with providing the basis for robust and sensitive alternative approaches for the identification of skin-sensitizing chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy A Gildea
- Central Product Safety Department, Miami Valley Innovation Center, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8707, USA.
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Pelletier G, Luu-The V, Li S, Labrie F. Localization of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA in mouse brain by in situ hybridization. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 125:143-6. [PMID: 15193432 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The enzyme 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone into its inactive form, 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. We studied the expression of 20alpha-HSD mRNA in mouse brain by in situ hybridization. 20alpha-HSD mRNA was exclusively found in neurons in cortex and hippocampus. In the cortex, the labelled cells were concentrated in the external granular layer, the external pyramidal layer and the inner granular layer. In the hippocampus, the labelling was mostly located over pyramidal cells of the CA1 layer. These results suggest that progesterone can be inactivated by 20alpha-HSD in some specific brain areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pelletier
- Oncology and Molecular Endocrinology Research Center, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, Québec, 2705, Laurier Boulevard, Canada G1V 4G2.
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