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Paradiso E, Lazzaretti C, Sperduti S, Melli B, Trenti T, Tagliavini S, Roli L, D'Achille F, Beltrán-Frutos E, Simoni M, Casarini L. Protein kinase B (Akt) blockade inhibits LH/hCG-mediated 17,20-lyase, but not 17α-hydroxylase activity of Cyp17a1 in mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Cell Signal 2023; 111:110872. [PMID: 37640196 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Androgens are produced by adrenal and gonadal cells thanks to the action of specific enzymes. We investigated the role of protein kinase B (Akt) in the modulation of Δ4 steroidogenic enzymes' activity, in the mouse Leydig tumor cell line mLTC1. Cells were treated for 0-24 h with the 3 × 50% effective concentration of human luteinizing hormone (LH) and choriogonadotropin (hCG), in the presence and in the absence of the specific Akt inhibitor 3CAI. Cell signaling analysis was performed by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and Western blotting, while the expression of key target genes was investigated by real-time PCR. The synthesis of progesterone, 17α-hydroxy (OH)-progesterone and testosterone was measured by immunoassay. Control experiments for cell viability and caspase 3 activation were performed as well. We found that both hormones activated cAMP and downstream effectors, such as extracellularly-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (Creb), as well as Akt, and the transcription of Stard1, Hsd3b1, Cyp17a1 and Hsd17b3 genes, boosting the Δ4 steroidogenic pathway. Interestingly, Akt blockade decreased selectively Cyp17a1 expression levels, inhibiting its 17,20-lyase, but not the 17-hydroxylase activity. This effect is consistent with lower Cyp17a1 affinity to 17α-OH-progesterone than progesterone. As a result, cell treatment with 3CAI resulted in 17α-OH-progesterone accumulation at 16-24 h and decreased testosterone levels after 24 h. In conclusion, in the mouse Leydig cell line mLTC1, we found substantial Akt dependence of the 17,20-lyase activity and testosterone synthesis. Our results indicate that different intracellular pathways modulate selectively the dual activity of Cyp17a1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Paradiso
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy.
| | - Clara Lazzaretti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Samantha Sperduti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Beatrice Melli
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trenti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Simonetta Tagliavini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Roli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio D'Achille
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathological Anatomy, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Ester Beltrán-Frutos
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Medical School, IMIB-Arrixaca, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Via P. Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy; Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
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