Regulation of cytochrome P450scc synthesis and activity in the ovine corpus luteum

The rate-limiting step in luteal biosynthesis of progesterone consists of cleavage of the side chain of cholesterol by mitochondrial cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450_scc) to form pregnenolone. Luteal mRNA encoding P450_scc, quantitated on selected days of the 16-day ovine estrous cycle, was similar on days 3 and 6, increased by 2-fold on day 9 (P < 0.05) and remained elevated on day 15. Levels of P450_scc mRNA on day 15 of pregnancy were not different from those found on any day of the cycle (P < 0.05). To determine whether levels of mRNA encoding P450_scc are hormonally regulated, ewes on day 10 of the estrous cycle were injected with hCG or prostaglandin F₂ (PGF₂). P450_scc mRNA was not increased for up to 36 h after injection of hCG, nor decreased within 8 h after injection of PGF₂ (P < 0.05). An assay for P450_scc activity was developed which utilized ovine small and large luteal cells in the presence of 22R-hydroxycholesterol and ovine high density lipoprotein. Enzyme activity was quantitated by measurement of progesterone production. In small luteal cells activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) second-messenger system by treatment with LH resulted in 910% increase in progesterone production without altering activity of P450_scc. Activation of the protein kinase C (PKC) second-messenger system with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate caused a 51% reduction in progesterone secretion from large luteal cells but did not alter activity of P450_scc. These findings suggest that in mature luteal tissue steady state levels of mRNA encoding P450_scc, and enzyme activity are independent of acute regulation by activation of PKA or PKC second-messenger systems.     

Dual subcellular localization of the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase: Characterization of the mitochondrial enzyme in the bovine adrenal cortex

The enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase (3β-HSD/I) in an essential step in the biosynthesis of steroid such as progesterone, mineralo- and gluco-corticoids, estrogens and androgens in steroidogenic tissues. It is considered to be mainly localized in microsomes; however, 3β-HSD/I activity has also been described to be associated with mitochondrial preparations. In this study, we examined the subcellular distribution of 3β-HSD/I in bovine adrenocortical tissue and we characterized the catalytic properties of the enzyme present in the various cell compartments. About 30% of the total 3β-HSD/I activity was found to remain tightly associated with the purified mitochondrial pellet. The 3β-HSD/I and 3-ketoreductase activities were found in microsomes as well as in mitochondria. The 3β-HSD/I associated with the mitochondrial fraction did not required addition of exogenous NAD⁺. When the pyridine nucleotide was reduced ollowing addition of substrate of the tricarboxyllic acids cycle, the mitochondrial 3β-HSD/I activity decreased, suggesting that the enzyme utilizes NAD⁺ available from the matrix space. By contrast, the microsomal enzyme was inactive in the absence of exogenous NAD⁺. Submitochondrial fraction disclosed that 3β-HSD/I was associated (i) with the inner membrane and (ii) with a particulate fraction sedimenting in a density gradient between inner and outer membranes. This fraction was characterized as contact sites between the two membranes. 3β-HSD/I specific activity was much higher in this fraction than in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Altogether, these observations suggest that these mitochondrial intermembrane contact sites may represent a spacial organization of functional significance, facilitating both the access of cholesterol to the inner membrane where cytochrome P-450_scc is located and the rapid transformation of its product, pregnenolone, to progesterone, through 3β-HSD/I activity.     

Cholesterol side-chain cleavage by mitochondria from the human placenta. Studies using hydroxycholesterols as substrates

The side-chain cleavage of cholesterol by cytochrome P-450_scc in mitochondria from the human placenta was studied using hydroxycholesterol substrates and intermediates of the reaction. 25-Hydroxycholesterol inhibited 3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one (pregnenolone) production by placental mitochondria. It was converted to pregnenolone at a maximum velocity of only 19% of that for cholesterol. Addition of 20-hydroxycholesterol or 22R-hydroxycholesterol to placental mitochondria caused a lag in pregnenolone synthesis which was concentration dependent. Measurement of the concentration of 20,22R-dihydroxycholesterol during incubation of placental mitochondria with 22R-hydroxycholesterol revealed that the lag in pregnenolone production was caused by accumulation of 20,22R-dihydroxycholesterol. This intermediate of the reaction dissociated from the active site of cytochrome P-450_scc. Only after its concentration had increased, presumably to a level where it could compete with 22R-hydroxycholesterol for binding to cytochrome P-450_scc, was it converted to pregnenolone. These results indicate a lack of kinetic stabilization of the cytochrome P-450_scc-20,22R-dihydroxycholesterol complex with dissociation occurring more rapidly than the final hydroxylation. Similar measurements of side-chain cleavage of 22R-hydroxycholesterol by mitochondria from the bovine adrenal cortex showed that kinetic stabilization of the cytochrome P-450_scc-20,22R-dihydroxycholesterol complex does not occur in that tissue either. The relative hydroxylation rates of 20-hydroxycholesterol, 22R-hydroxycholesterol and 20,22R-dihydroxycholesterol indicate that all three hydroxylations catalysed by human cytochrome P-450_scc occur at approximately the same rate.     

Influence of 19-nortestosterone and androgens on progesterone biosynthetic enzymes in early human placental explants

We recently showed that the production of progesterone (P4) in human placental explant culture from early gestation is enhanced by treatment with 19-nortestosterone (19-NT) or with certain androgens, namely androsen, namely androstenedione (A-dione), 5-androstane-3, 17β diol (3-diol) and 5-androstane-3β, 17β diol (3β-diol). This stimulation of P4 was explored further in this study. There was little metabolism of radioactive P4 when incubated for 24 h in the presence or absene of these steroids. The role of different steroids in the regulation of P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) was evaluated by measuring the conversion of P4 derived from unlabelled 25-hydroxycholesterol and from labelled pregnenolone, respectively. The results showed that 19-NT, A-dione and 3-diol stimulated (P450scc) activity; however, 3β-diol was ineffective. While 19-NT and 3β-diol enhanced the bioconversion of pregnenoloe to P4, A-dione and 3-diol were without effect.

The initial rapid stimulation of P4 by 19-NT within 2 h of incubation was not blocked by concurrent treatment with cycloheximide (CH). However, after incubation for 24 h, 70% of the 19-NT-stimulated P4 was abolished by CH. During the same incubation period,] P4 stimulation by A-dione, 3- and 3β-diol were completely blocked by treatment with CH. Thus our observations suggest that 19-NT-stimulated P4 accumulation is due to the combined effects on P450scc adn 3β-HSD enzyme activities. A-dioneand 3-diol increase biosynthesis of P4 by acting selectively on P450scc enzyme. However, the stimulatory action of 3β-diol on P4 is only at the level of 3β-HSD. Since CH blocks the stimulatory actions, the mechanism(s) by which androgens (A-dione, 3-diol and 3β-diol) and norandrogen (19-NT) augment the biosynthetic enzyme activities appears to be mediated by a process inhibited by CH. Since CH interference was absent during the initial rapid P4-stimulation by 19-NT, there may be a direct action of this steroid at the cellular level which is not dependent on new protein synthesis.     

Over-expression of human type I (placental) 3β-hydroxy-5-ene-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase in insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus

Human type I placental 3β-hydroxy-5-ene-steroid dehydrogenase/steroid 5→4-ene-isomerase (3β-HSD/isomerase) synthesizes androstenedione from fetal dehydroepiandrosterone and progesterone from pregnenolone. The full length cDNA that encodes type I 3β-HSD/isomerase was inserted into the baculovirus, Autographa californica multiple nucleocapsid polyhedrosis virus, and expressed in Spodoptera fungiperda (Sf-9) insect cells. Western blots showed that the baculovirus-infected Sf-9 cells produced an immunoreactive protein that co-migrated with purified placental 3β-HSD/isomerase. Ultracentrifugation localized the expressed enzyme activities in all the membrane-associated organelles of the Sf-9 cell (nuclear, mitochondrial and microsomal). Kinetic studies showed that the expressed enzyme has 3β-HSD and isomerase activities. The Michaelis-Menton constant is very similar for the 3β-HSD substrate, 5-androstan-3β-o1-17-one, in the Sf-9 cell homogenate (K_m = 17.9 μM) and placental microsomes (K_m = 16.7 μM). The 3β-HSD activity (V_max = 14.5 nmol/min/mg) is 1.6-fold higher in the Sf-9 cell homogenate compared to placental microsomes (V_max = 9.1 nmol/min/mg). The K_m values are almost identical for the isomerase substrate, 5-androstene-3,17-dione, in the Sf-9 cell homogenate (K_m = 14.7 μM) and placental microsomes (K_m = 14.4 μM). The specific isomerase activity is 1.5-fold higher in the Sf-9 cells (V_max = 25.7 nmol/min/mg) relative to placenta (V_max = 17.2 nmol/min/mg). These studies show that our recombinant baculovirus system over-expresses fully active enzyme that is kinetically identical to native 3β-HSD/isomerase in human placenta.     

Increasing progesterone secretion and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of human cumulus cells and granulosa-lutein cells concurrent with successful fertilization of the corresponding oocyte

In many studies it has been documented that the induction of multiple follicular growth in humans results in an asynchrony between the degree of cumulus mucification, oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilizability, and follicular cell progesterone (P₄) secretion. The present study was carried out on oocytes enclosed in fully mucified cumulus. Thus, oocyte fertilizability was correlated to human cumulus cell (hCC) and human granulosa-lutein (G-L) cell competence for P₄ secretion in culture. In the G-L cells, P₄ secretion and percentage of cells manifesting 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity increased concurrently with the period of culture. In the hCC, however, P₄ secretion decreased concurrently with elongation of the culture period, whereas the percentage of 3β-HSD-positive cells increased. In hCC corresponding to the fertilized oocytes, P₄ accumulation in culture medium was 1.9-fold (P < 0.001) and 1.6-fold (P < 0.02) higher on days 0–3 and 3–5 of culture, respectively, as compared to P₄ accumulation in hCC of unfertilized oocytes. Also, in hCC corresponding to the fertilized oocytes, the degree of 3β-HSD activity was found to be significantly higher shortly after aspiration and after either 3 or 5 days, compared to hCC of unfertilized oocytes. In the G-L cells pooled from all follicles yielding mature cumulus-oocyte complexes, P₄ accumulation and percentage of 3β-HSD-positive cells increased concurrently with the increase in percentage of fertilized eggs of each individual woman. These results indicate that in stimulated cycles, follicles yielding mature cumulus-oocyte complex, oocyte fertilizability, and G-L cell or hCC competence for P₄ secretion are correlated and synchronous.     

Gossypolone suppresses progesterone synthesis in bovine luteal cells

Gossypolone, a proposed major metabolite of gossypol, was synthesized and investigated for its effect on progesterone synthesis in cultured bovine luteal cells. Gossypolone inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)-stimulated progesterone secretion, reduced substrate-enhanced conversions of 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone and of pregnenolone to progesterone in a dose-dependent fashion. These findings indicate that gossypolone inhibits not only 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity, as gossypol does, but also side-chain cleavage enzyme complex (cytochrome P450scc activity. However, the two compounds appear to have a similar potency in inhibiting progesterone secretion. Both gossypolone and gossypol (8.5 μM) induced morphological changes in cellular organelles.     

Extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase by a benign testicular leydig cell tumor

We present an unusual case with bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumors displaying extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase. Histological examination of a 38-yr-old man infertile due to azoospermia showed him to have bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumors. The in vitro steroidogenic potential of the tumors and their adjacent testicular tissue was evaluated using organ culture. Tumor tissue was found to secrete deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B) and cortisol, which are not produced in normal adult testis, into the medium, while testicular tissue adjacent to the tumors secreted a small amount of DOC and B. Northern blot analysis with cytochrome P-450_C21 complementary DNA (cDNA) and P-450_11β cDNA as probes revealed that the tumor contained a considerable amount of mRNA for P-450_C21 and P-450_11β, while the mRNAs were not detected in the testicular tissues adjacent to the tumors. It is suggested that the high local levels of estrogen and/or progesterone within the Leydig cell tumors and their adjacent testicular tissues induced extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase by the tumors and their adjacent testicular tissues.     

Dithioerythritol (DTE) prevents inhibitory effects of triphenyltin (TPT) on the key enzymes of the human sex steroid hormone metabolism

Organotins are known to induce imposex (pseudohermaphroditism) in marine neogastropods and are suggested to act as specific endocrine disruptors, inhibiting the enzyme-mediated conversion of steroid hormones. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro effects of triphenyltin (TPT) on human 5-reductase type 2 (5-Re 2), cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD 3), 3β-HSD type 2 and 17β-HSD type 1 activity. First, the present study demonstrates that significant amounts of TPT occurred in the blood of eight human volunteers (0.17–0.67 μg organotin cation/l, i.e. 0.49–1.92 nmol cation/l). Second, TPT showed variable inhibitory effects on all the enzymes investigated. The mean IC₅₀ values were 0.95 μM for 5-Re 2 (mean of n=4 experiments), 1.5 μM for P450arom (n=5), 4.0 μM for 3β-HSD 2 (n=1), 4.2 μM for 17β-HSD 3 (n=3) and 10.5 μM for 17β-HSD 1 (n=3). To exclude the possibility that the impacts of TPT are mediated by oxidizing essential thiol residues of the enzymes, the putative compensatory effects of the reducing agent dithioerythritol (DTE) were investigated. Co-incubation with DTE (n=3) resulted in dose-response prevention of the inhibitory effects of 100 μM deleterious TPT concentrations on 17β-HSD 3 (EC₅₀ value of 12.9 mM; mean of n=3 experiments), 3β-HSD 2 (0.90 mM; n=3), P450arom (0.91 mM; n=3) and 17β-HSD 1 (0.21 mM; n=3) activity. With these enzymes, the use of 10 mM DTE resulted in an at least 80% antagonistic effect, whereas, the effect of TPT on 5-Re 2 was not compensated. In conclusion, the present study shows that TPT acts as an unspecific, but significant inhibitor of human sex steroid hormone metabolism and suggests that the inhibitory effects are mediated by the interaction of TPT with critical cysteine residues of the enzymes.     

Peptide hormone and growth factor regulation of nuclear proto-oncogenes and specific functions in adrenal cells

Among the large number of immediate early genes, nuclear proto-oncogenes of the Fos and Jun families, have been postulated to be involved in the long-term effects of several growth factors on cell differentiation and/or multiplication. Since adrenal cell differentiated functions appear to be regulated by specific hormones and growth factors, the effects of these factors on proto-oncogene mRNA levels were analysed in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC) in culture. Corticotropin (ACTH) and insulin-like growth factor I increased c-fos and jun-B mRNA, but had no effect on c-jun mRNA and these early changes were associated with a later increase in BAC specific function [ACTH receptors, cytochrome P 450 17) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD)] and an enhanced steroidogenic responsiveness to both ACTH and angiotensin-II (A-II). On the other hand, A-II increased the three proto-oncogene (c-fos, c-jun and jun-B) mRNAs, induced a decreased of P 450 17 and 3β-HSD and caused a marked homologous and heterologous (ACTH) densitization. Transforming growth factor β₁ which only increased jun-B mRNA, markedly reduced BAC differentiated functions and the steroidogenic responsiveness to both ACTH and A-II. Thus, it is postulated that the proto-oncoproteins encoded by the immediate early genes may play a role in the long-term effects of peptide hormones and growth factors on BAC differentiated functions.     

Functional expression of cDNAs for bovine 11 beta-hydroxylase-aldosterone synthases, P450(11 beta)-2 and -3 and their chimeras.

Two molecular species of bovine P450(11β), P450(11β)-2 and P450(11β)-3 have been identified, in which the amino acid differences were found at the 6th, 36th and 82nd positions from the NH₂-termini of the mature proteins. They catalyzed the 11β-, 18- and 19-hydroxylation and aldosterone formation from 11-deoxycorticosterone, and the rate of production of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone by P450(11β)-3 was greater than that by P450(11β)-2 [Morohashi et al., J. Biochem. 107 (1990) 635–640].

In this study, chimeric clones were constructed whose 6th, 36th and 82nd amino acid residues were exchanged with each other. Two original clones and six chimeric clones were expressed in COS-7 cells, and their steroidogenic activities studied. The ratio of aldosterone or 18-hydroxycorticosterone production to corticosterone production by one clone was compared with that of the other. The ratios for the four clones having Gly36 [P450(11β)-3 type] were 0.08–0.22, whereas those for the clones having Ser36 [P450(11β)-2 type] were 0.03–0.05, suggesting that the Gly36 structure is important for aldosterone production.     

Side-chain cleavage of cholesterol esters by human cytochrome P-450scc

In order to define the substrate binding site of human cytochrome P-450_scc in the vicinity of the 3β-hydroxyl group of cholesterol, we have tested the ability of the cytochrome to cleave the side chain of a range of cholesterol esters and cholesterol methyl ether. Using a Tween-20 detergent reconstituted system we found that cholesterol sulphate could undergo side-chain cleavage with the same turnover number (k_cat) as that for cholesterol, but with a higher K_m. Cholesterol methyl ether underwent side-chain cleavage to pregnenolone methyl ether with k_cat and K_m values 30% of those for cholesterol. Cholesterol fatty acid esters with acyl chain lengths of up to four carbons were able to undergo side-chain cleavage with K_m values similar to those for cholesterol, but k_cat values only 12–23% of those for cholesterol. Turnover numbers decreased as the acyl group length increased beyond four carbons, although some activity was still detected with cholesterol palmitate as substrate. Analysis of bovine cytochrome P-450_scc revealed that it could also cleave the side chain of acyl and sulphate esters of cholesterol. This study indicates that the substrate binding site of cytochrome P-450_scc in the vicinity of the 3β-hydroxyl group is larger than previously believed.     

Cytochrome P450(11β): Structure-function relationship of the enzyme and its involvement in blood pressure regulation

Cytochrome P450(11β) is deeply involved in the final steps of biosynthesis of mineralocorticoids. This paper deals with following issues about this enzyme. (1) The structure and function of the enzymes of various animal species are discussed. By making alignment of amino acid sequences of the enzymes, we identified peptide domains essential for the enzyme actions such as a putative steroid binding domain and a heme binding region. Estimates of molecular similarity among the P450(11β) family enzymes suggested that the enzymes having both 11β-hydroxylation activity and aldosterone (ALDO) synthetic activity of certain animals such as frog, cattle and pig are more similar to the ALDO synthases of the other animals, such as rat, mouse and human, than the 11β-hydroxylases of these animals. (2) The molecular nature of the P450(11β) family enzymes of genetically hypertensive rats as well as adrenal regeneration hypertension (ARH) rats is examined. (i) Mutation was found in the P450(11β) gene of Dahl's salt-resistant normotensive rat. Steroidogenic activity expressed by the mutated gene accounted well for abnormal plasma levels of steroid hormones in this rat. (ii) 11β-, 18- and 19-Hydroxylation activities of adrenal mitochondria prepared from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY), and stroke-prone (SP)-SHR were not significantly different from each other. Levels of mRNA of ALDO synthase in adrenal glands of 50-week-old SHR was significantly lower than those of 10-week-old SHR, WKY and SHR-SP. (iii) No significant difference in 19-hydroxylation activity was found between adrenal mitochondria prepared from ARH rat and those from control rat. The level of message of ALDO synthase was lower in adrenal glands of ARH rat.     

3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5-ene-4-ene isomerase mRNA expression in rat brain: effect of pseudopregnancy and traumatic brain injury

Evidence that endogenous progesterone (PROG) is neuroprotective after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is supported by the findings that pseudopregnant female rats present less edema and achieve better functional recovery than do male rats. PROG in the nervous system may originate from steroidogenic glands or can be locally synthesized. 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5-ene-4-ene isomerase (3β-HSD) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of PROG. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pseudopregnancy and TBI on brain 3β-HSD mRNA expression and on PROG levels. Twenty-four hours after bilateral contusion of the medial prefrontal cortex of rats, 3β-HSD mRNA expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization while PROG levels were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Similar levels of 3β-HSD mRNA expression were observed in males and pseudopregnant females in the non-injured groups. At this time point, there was a significant decrease in the 3β-HSD mRNA expression in the contusion site within the frontal cortex in both males and pseudopregnant females. In all other regions analyzed, 3β-HSD mRNA expression was not affected by TBI and there was no difference between males and pseudopregnant females. The high decrease in the expression of the 3β-HSD mRNA in the lesion site 24 h after TBI suggests a possible decrease in locally synthesized PROG in lesion site without change in the other brain regions. This decrease has less impact in pseudopregnant females since they have high plasmatic and brain levels of PROG compared to males.     

Kinetic analysis of enzymic activities: Prediction of multiple forms of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

An overview of the application of kinetic methods to the delineation of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) heterogeneity in mammalian tissues is presented. Early studies of 17β-HSD activity in animal liver and kidney subcellular fractions were suggestive of multiple forms of the enzyme. Subsequently, detailed characterization of activity in cytosol and subcellular membrane fractions of human placenta, with particular emphasis on inhibition kinetics, yielded evidence of two kinetically-differing forms of 17β-HSD in that organ. Gene cloning and transfection experiments have confirmed the identity of these two proteins as products of separate genes. 17β-HSD type 1 is a cytosolic enzyme highly specific for C₁₈ steroids such as 17β-estradiol (E₂) and estrone (E₁). 17β-HSD type 2 is a membrane bound enzyme reactive with testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A), as well as E₂ and E₁. Useful parameters for the detection of multiple forms of 17β-HSD appear to be the E₂/T activity ratio, NAD/NADP activity ratios, steroid inhibitor specificity and inhibition patterns over a wide range of putative inhibitor concentrations. Evaluation of these parameters for microsomes from samples of human breast tissue suggests the presence of 17β-HSD type 2. The 17β-HSD enzymology of human testis microsomes appears to differ from placenta. Analysis of human ovary indicates granulosa cells are particularly enriched in the type 1 enzyme with type 2-like activity in stroma/theca. Mouse ovary appears to contain forms of 17β-HSD which differ from 17β-HSD type 1 and type 2 in their kinetic properties.     

Regulation of expression of the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of human placenta and fetal adrenal

The appropriate expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ^5→4-isomerase (3β-HSD) is vital for mammalian reproduction, fetal growth and life maintenance. Several isoforms of 3β-HSD, the products of separate genes, have been identified in various species including man. Current investigations are targeted toward defining the processes that regulate the levels of specific isoforms in various steroidogenic tissues of man. High levels of expression of 3β-HSD were observed in placental tissues. It has been generally considered that the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblastic cells are the principal sites of 3β-HSD expression and, moreover, that 3β-HSD expression is intimately associated with cyclic AMP-promoted formation of syncytia. Herein we report the presence of 3β-HSD immunoreactive and mRNA species in uninucleate cytotrophoblasts in the chorion laeve, similar to that in syncytia but not cytotrophoblast placenta. In vitro, 3β-HSD levels in chorion laeve cytotrophoblasts were not increased with time nor after treatment with adenylate cyclase activators, whereas villous cytotrophoblasts spontaneously demonstrated progressive, increased 3β-HSD expression. Moreover, 3β-HSD synthesis appeared to precede morphologic syncytial formation. Thus high steroidogenic enzyme expression in placenta is not necessarily closely linked to formation of syncytia. Both Western immunoblot and enzymic activity analyses also indicated that the 3β-HSD expressed in these cytotrophoblastic populations was the 3β-HSD type I gene product (M_r, 45K) and not 3β-HSD type II (M_r, 44K) expressed in fetal testis. In cultures of fetal zone and definitive zone cell of human fetal adrenal, 3β-HSD expression was not detected until ACTH was added. ACTH, likely acting in a cyclic AMP-dependent process, induced 3β-HSD type II activity and mRNA expression. The higher level of 3β-HSD mRNA in definitive zone compared with fetal zone cells was associated with parallel increases in cortisol secretion relative to dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate formation.     

Purification and characterization of 3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase/isomerase from bovine adrenal cortex

The formation of 4-ene-3-ketosteroids from 3β-hydroxy-5-ene precursors is an obligatory step in the biosynthesis of hormonal steroids such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and androgens. In the adrenal cortex, pregnenolone, 17-hydroxy-pregnenolone and dehydroisoandrosterone are converted to progesterone, 17-hydroxy-progesterone and androstenedione, respectively, by the enzymatic system 3β-hydroxy-5-ene steroid dehydrogenase and 3-keto-5-ene steroid isomerase (3β-HSD/I).

The present work reports a two step purification procedure which yields an homogenous preparation of 3β-HSD/I from bovine adrenal cortex. It uses solubilization of the microsomal proteins followed by two chromatographic steps, i.e. DEAE-cellulose and heparine-sepharose columns. The enzyme was obtained as an homogeneous protein exhibiting an apparent molecular size of 45 kDa upon SDS-gel electrophoresis and of 81 kDa upon gel filtration. The purified enzyme exhibits both the 5-ene-3β-ol steroid dehydrogenase and isomerase activities in contrast to previous work using a more complex procedure which yielded a final preparation having lost its isomerase activity [Hiwatashi et al., Biochem. J. 98 (1985) 1519–1525]. N-terminal aminoacid (29 residues) sequence of the purified protein was determined and was found identical to that predicted from the nucleic acid sequence of the recently identified enzyme cDNA [Zhas et al. FEBS Lett. 259 (1989) 153–157].