The isolation and cloning of a full-length cDNA insert complementary to mRNA encoding human aromatase system cytochrome P-450 is reported. The insert contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 503 amino acids. This gene is clearly a member of the cytochrome P450 gene superfamily, because the sequence contains regions of marked homology to those of other members, notably a putative membrane-spanning region, I helix, Ozols, and hemebinding regions. The cDNA was inserted into a modified pCMV vector and expressed in COS-1 monkey kidney tumor cells. The expressed protein was similar in size to human placental aromatase system cytochrome P-450, as detected by immunoblot analysis, and catalyzed the aromatization of androstenedione, testosterone, and 16a-hydroxyandrostenedione. This activity was inhibited by the known aromatase inhibitors, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione and econazole. Thus the several steps involved in the aromatization reaction appear to be catalyzed by a single polypeptide chain, which can metabolize the three major physiological substrates.

The isolation, cloning, and expression of a cDNA insert complementary to mRNA encoding human 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----4isomerase is reported. The insert contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 372 amino acids, the initial 29 amino acids corresponding to the N-terminal sequence identified from the purified human placental microsomal enzyme. The cDNA was inserted into a modified pCMV vector and expressed in COS-1 monkey kidney tumor cells. The expressed protein was similar in size to human placental microsomal 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----4isomerase, as detected by immunoblot analysis, and catalyzed the conversion of 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone to 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone to progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone to androstenedione. Transfected COS cell homogenates, supplemented with NAD+, very efficiently oxidized 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and, upon addition of NADH, reduced 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone to 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol. Thus, the dehydrogenation/isomerization steps of steroid biosynthesis can be catalyzed by a single polypeptide chain, which can metabolize all of the major physiological substrates.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)b1 facilitates FSH-induced differentiation of rat ovarian granulosa cells. The signaling crosstalk between follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and TGFb receptors remains unclear. This study was to investigate the interplay of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)C1 dependence in FSH-and TGFb1-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat granulosa cells. To achieve this aim, inhibitors of PKA (PKAI), PI3K (wortmannin), and mTORC1 (rapamycin) were employed. PKAI and wortmannin suppressions of the FSH-increased progesterone production were partly attributed to decreased level of 3b-HSD, and their suppression of the FSH plus TGFb1 effect was attributed to the reduction of all the three key players, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, P450scc, and 3b-HSD. Further, FSH activated the PI3K pathway including increased integrin-linked kinase (ILK) activity and phosphorylation of Akt(S473), mTOR(S2481), S6K(T389), and transcription factors particularly FoxO1(S256) and FoxO3a(S253), which were reduced by wortmannin treatment but not by PKAI. Interestingly, PKAI suppression of FSH-induced phosphorylation of cAMP regulatory element-binding protein (CREB(S133)) disappeared in the presence of wortmannin, suggesting that wortmannin may affect intracellular compartmentalization of signaling molecule(s).In addition, TGFb1 had no effect on FSH-activated CREB and PI3K signaling mediators. We further found that rapamycin reduced the TGFb1-enhancing effect of FSH-stimulated steroidogenesis, yet it exhibited no effect on FSH action. Surprisingly, rapamycin displayed a suppressive effect at concentrations that had no effect on mTORC1 activity. Together, this study demonstrates a delicate interplay between cAMP/PKA and PI3K signaling in FSH and TGFb1 regulation of steroidogenesis in rat granulosa cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that TGFb1 acts in a rapamycinhypersensitive and mTORC1-independent manner in augmenting FSH-stimulated steroidogenesis in rat granulosa cells.

Steroidogenic factor-1/adrenal 4-binding protein (SF-1/Ad4BP) is an orphan nuclear receptor/transcription factor known to regulate the P450 steroid hydroxylases; however, mechanisms that regulate the activity of SF-1/ Ad4BP are not well defined. In addition, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the human steroidogenic enzyme, type II 3␤-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3␤-HSD II), the major gonadal and adrenal isoform. Regulation of the 3␤-HSD II promoter was examined using human adrenal cortical (H295R; steroidogenic) and cervical (HeLa; non-steroidogenic) carcinoma cells.

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta HSD) catalyzes the conversion of cortisol to cortisone and plays an important role in the mammalian kidney in regulating cortisol access to the mineralocorticoid receptor. 11 beta HSD-deficient states, such as the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME), and licorice ingestion result in hypertension in which cortisol acts as a mineralocorticoid. A gene and complementary DNA sequence encoding type I human 11 beta HSD have been described, but this gene is normal in patients with AME. Separate 11 beta HSD isoforms have been described in rat and rabbit kidney, but 11 beta HSD has not been characterized in human kidney. Kinetic analysis of 11 beta HSD activity in human fetal kidney microsomes revealed only a high affinity isoform (apparent Km, 60 nmol/L for cortisol, 13 nmol/L for corticosterone), the activity of which was exclusively nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) dependent. No 11-oxo-reductase activity was seen in either renal homogenates or microsomes. 11 beta-Dehydrogenase activity was inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid (the active ingredient in licorice) in a competitive fashion, with a Ki of 8.7 nmol/L. This 11 beta HSD isoform was clearly distinct from the type I h11 beta HSD enzyme, in that COS-1 cells transfected with type I h11 beta HSD complementary DNA expressed a low affinity (apparent Km, 2.13 mumol/L) isoform, the activity of which was NAD phosphate dependent. 11-Oxo-reductase activity was present in intact transfected cells (apparent Km for cortisone, 0.36 mumol/L), but not in cell lysates. In contrast to the cloned, low affinity, type I h11 beta HSD enzyme, human kidney contains a high affinity NAD-dependent 11 beta HSD isoform. It seems probable that this isoform is responsible for protecting the renal mineralocorticoid receptor from glucocorticoid excess, and a defect in its activity may explain AME.