Biomedical subjects

A H Payne

Publications and source records attributed to A H Payne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

The murine 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase multigene family: structure, function and tissue-specific expression.

The classical form of the enzyme 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 beta HSD), expressed in adrenal glands and gonads, catalyzes the conversion of 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroids to 4-ene-3-ketosteroids, an essential step in the biosynthesis of all active steroid hormones. To date, four distinct mouse 3 beta HSD cDNAs have been isolated and characterized. These cDNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and encode proteins of two functional classes. Mouse 3 beta HSD I and III function as 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and 5-en-->4-en isomerases using NAD+ as a cofactor. The enzymatic function of 3 beta HSD II has not been completely characterized. Mouse 3 beta HSD IV functions only as a 3-ketosteroid reductase using NADPH as a cofactor. The predicted amino acid sequences of the four isoforms exhibit a high degree of identity. Forms II and III are 85 and 83% homologous to form I. Form IV is most distant from the other three with 77 and 73% sequence identity to I and III, respectively. 3 beta HSD I is expressed in the gonads and adrenal glands of the adult mouse. 3 beta HSD II and III are expressed in the kidney and liver with the expression of form II greater in kidney and form III greater in liver. Form IV is expressed exclusively in the kidney. Although the amino acid composition of forms I, III and IV predicts proteins of the same molecular weight, the proteins have different mobilities on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This characteristic allows for differential identification of the expressed proteins. The four structural genes encoding the different isoforms are closely linked within a segment of mouse chromosome 3 that is conserved on human chromosome 1.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1995

Regulation of expression of steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig cells.

The Leydig cell of the testis is the only cell in the male that has the capacity to synthesize testosterone from cholesterol. Testosterone is critical during fetal development for male sexual differentiation, and postnatally for initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis and the expression of the male secondary sex characteristics. The biosynthesis of testosterone requires the activities of four enzymes, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase (3 beta HSD), 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (P450(17 alpha)), and 17-ketosteroid reductase. The expression of these enzymes appears to be regulated by different mechanisms. The recent isolation of the mouse cDNAs and structural genes that encode these enzymes has enabled us to begin to investigate the regulation of their expression at the molecular level. This review discusses the regulation by cAMP and steroids of three enzymes in Leydig cells, P450scc, P450(17 alpha), and 3 beta HSD, as well as characterization of the promoters of the mouse genes that encode P450scc and P450(17 alpha).

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1995

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase gene (Cyp17) expression.

Testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells is dependent on the action of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase cytochrome P450 (P450c17), which is encoded by the Cyp17 gene. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine, inhibits cAMP-stimulated testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells. The inhibition of testosterone production is parallel to the inhibition of P450c17 messenger RNA and protein levels. To examine the mechanism of TNF alpha-mediated inhibition of steroidogenesis, the effect of TNF alpha on cAMP-stimulated induction of Cyp17 expression was investigated. To determine whether the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway is involved in TNF alpha inhibition of steroidogenesis, the effects of the PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and the PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, were examined. Treatment of normal mouse Leydig cells in primary culture with 50 microM 8-bromo-cAMP (cAMP) plus 1 ng/ml TNF alpha or 10 nM PMA caused a similar (approximately 90%) decrease in testosterone accumulation and cAMP-stimulated P450c17 messenger RNA levels compared to those after treatment with cAMP alone. To determine whether TNF alpha inhibits the cAMP-induced expression of the Cyp17 gene, plasmids containing two different size fragments of the 5'-flanking region of the Cyp17 gene upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene were transiently transfected into MA-10 tumor Leydig cells, and the effect of TNF alpha on cAMP-induced CAT activity was determined. Treatment of cells, transfected with either plasmid, with 500 microM cAMP plus increasing concentrations (0.1, 1.0, and 10 ng/ml) of TNF alpha resulted in a dose-dependent repression of cAMP-stimulated CAT activity. Higher concentrations of TNF alpha (up to 100 ng/ml) did not result in greater inhibition. Treatment of transfected cells with 10 nM PMA resulted in a 51 +/- 6.6% inhibition of cAMP-stimulated CAT activity. Calphostin C (1 microM) completely reversed the inhibitory effect of TNF alpha or PMA. Calphostin C alone had no effect on promoter activity. TNF alpha-stimulated PKC alpha translocation was quantitated by Western blot. After treatment for 3 h, the distribution of immunoreactive PKC alpha in cytosol vs. nucleus was 55%/45%, 60%/40%, and 29%/71% in control, cAMP-treated, and TNF alpha-treated cells, respectively. TNF alpha-stimulated PKC alpha translocation was further demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence assay. PMA, a known activator of PKC, and TNF alpha had a similar inhibitory effect on P450c17 expression, testosterone production, and Cyp17-CAT activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

PubMed1995

The mouse 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase multigene family includes two functionally distinct groups of proteins.

The enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of all steroid hormones. We previously reported the isolation, characterization, and tissue-specific expression of four distinct but highly homologous 3 beta HSD cDNAs (forms I, II, III, and IV). Enzymatic characterization of three of these isoforms demonstrated that mouse 3 beta HSD I and III function as dehydrogenase/isomerases, but 3 beta HSD IV functions exclusively as a 3-ketosteroid reductase. We now report the isolation and characterization of an additional distinct mouse 3 beta HSD cDNA, 3 beta HSD V, which is expressed in the liver of male mice beginning in late puberty. Similar to 3 beta HSD IV, 3 beta HSD V functions exclusively as a 3-ketosteroid reductase converting an active androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), into an inactive androgen, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol. Expressed 3 beta HSD V, however, exhibits a considerably lower apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) value for DHT than 3 beta HSD IV (0.47 microM vs. 2.2 microM, respectively). The complete predicted amino acid sequence of 3 beta HSD II is also reported. The predicted amino acid sequence of mouse 3 beta HSD V reveals that this new form is more closely related to the 3-ketosteroid reductases, mouse 3 beta HSD IV and rat III (93 and 84% identity, respectively), than to the other rodent isoforms that share less than 75% identity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1992

P450(17 alpha) and P450SCC gene expression and regulation in the rat placenta.

To examine the developmental expression and regulation of P450SCC and P450(17 alpha) in the rat placenta, trophoblast and decidual tissue were removed by dissection from conceptuses obtained from rats on selected days of pregnancy. Total cellular and poly(A)+ RNA and microsomal and mitochondrial fractions were isolated and analyzed for the presence of P450(17) alpha and P450SCC messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein by Northern and Western blot analysis. P450(17) alpha and P450SCC mRNA were detected in the trophoblast but not in the decidual tissue. Western blot studies demonstrated that the immunoreactive P450(17) alpha in the rat placenta is a 79-kilodalton protein, having a slower mobility in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis than has been reported for other tissue. Antiserum preabsorbed with pure P450(17) alpha was unable to detect this protein, and immunoprecipitation indicated that it is associated with enzyme activity. Development studies have revealed that the two steroidogenic enzymes are differentially expressed during the progression of pregnancy. Whereas P450SCC mRNA and protein increase abruptly between days 10-12 of pregnancy, decline thereafter, and remain low, those of P450(17) alpha increase slowly and progressively, peaking on day 18 and declining just before parturition. It is the changes in P450(17) alpha and not that of P450SCC which appear to be intimately linked to the previously reported changes in placental production of androgen. To examine whether P450(17) alpha and/or P450SCC became expressed from midpregnancy because of the rapid decline in LH that occurs at this stage, pregnant rats were treated with low but sustained levels of human CG (hCG) in order to prevent the drop in LH activity. hCG treatment caused a remarkable down regulation in the expression of both P450SCC and P450(17) alpha message and protein. In summary, the results of this investigation have established, for the first time, the presence of messages for both P450(17) alpha and P450SCC in the trophoblast tissue forming the rat placenta. The results have revealed that these two enzymes are differentially expressed during the progression of pregnancy and that the expression of their genes is down-regulated by LH/hCG.

Androgens↗

PubMed1992

Isolation and characterization of the mouse P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20-lyase gene (Cyp17): transcriptional regulation of the gene by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in MA-10 Leydig cells.

The biosynthesis in Leydig cells of the C19 steroid testosterone from the C21 precursor progesterone requires the activities of the enzyme cytochrome P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (P450(17 alpha)). Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated that the de novo synthesis of the P450(17 alpha) protein and the accumulation of P450(17 alpha) mRNA in mouse Leydig cell cultures is absolutely dependent on cAMP stimulation. To investigate further the cAMP regulation of P450(17 alpha) expression in Leydig cells, the structural gene encoding P450(17 alpha) (Cyp17) was isolated from a mouse genomic library using a full-length mouse P450(17 alpha) cDNA. Two overlapping genomic clones were isolated and characterized by restriction mapping and partial sequencing. The two clones together contain the entire coding region and approximately 10 kilobases of 5'-flanking sequences of Cyp17. To identify regions necessary for cAMP-induced transcription, 5'-flanking regions of Cyp17 were fused with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene and transiently transfected into MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. Studies localized the cAMP-responsive region of the gene to a region between -346 and -245 basepairs relative to the transcription initiation site. Transient transfections of MA-10 cells with a construct consisting of the -346/-245 sequences fused to a heterologous promoter, thymidine kinase, and the CAT reporter gene demonstrated a marked increase in cAMP stimulation of CAT expression, providing additional evidence that the -346/-245 sequences of the Cyp17 5'-flanking region confer cAMP-induced expression of Cyp17. This cAMP-responsive region of mouse Cyp17 bears no apparent homology to the cAMP-responsive regions identified in the human and bovine Cyp17 genes.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

PubMed1991

Multiple forms of mouse 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase and differential expression in gonads, adrenal glands, liver, and kidneys of both sexes.

Observations of patients deficient in the steroidogenic enzyme 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 beta HSD) have suggested the presence of distinct 3 beta HSD structural gene(s) that are expressed at peripheral sites, possibly the liver. We now report the isolation of cDNA clones representing three forms of 3 beta HSD from mouse Leydig cell and liver libraries. The three forms share significant identify but differ from each other by 5-10% within their coding regions. RNA that hybridizes to radiolabeled 3 beta HSD probes is present in the gonads, adrenal glands, liver, and kidneys of both sexes. Ribonuclease protection analysis using antisense probes derived from each of the three forms demonstrates that one form, 3 beta HSD I, is restricted to steroidogenic tissues. Two other forms, 3 beta HSD II and III, are expressed in liver and kidney but are not detected in steroidogenic tissues. A polyclonal antibody raised against the human placental form of 3 beta HSD recognizes a 42-kDa protein in gonadal and adrenal tissue and a 45-kDa protein in liver. The antibody recognizes a 42-kDa protein in kidney only weakly. 3 beta HSD enzyme activity is present in testicular, adrenal, hepatic, and renal tissue, with adrenal tissue possessing the highest specific activity. When expressed as total 3 beta HSD activity for whole organ mass, activity is greatest in the liver. The results demonstrate that the mouse liver is a significant site of 3 beta HSD activity and demonstrate the existence of multiple 3 beta HSD structural genes in the mouse.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1991

Isolation, characterization, and chromosomal mapping of mouse P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase.

Cytochrome P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (P45017 alpha) catalyzes the conversion of C-21 steroids to C-19 steroids in gonads. A full-length mouse cDNA encoding P450 17 alpha was isolated from a mouse Leydig cell library and characterized by restriction mapping and sequencing. The predicted amino acid sequence has 83% homology to rat, 66% homology to human, and 62% homology to bovine P45017 alpha amino acid sequences. The protein is 507 amino acids in length, which is 1 amino acid shorter than the human protein and 2 amino acids shorter than the bovine protein. The structural gene encoding P450 17 alpha (Cyp17) was localized utilizing an interspecific testcross to mouse chromosome 19, distal to Got-1. Another cytochrome P450, P4502c (Cyp2c), also is located at the distal end of chromosome 19. CYP17, CYP2c, and GOT1 have been mapped to human chromosome 10, with CYP2C and GOT1 mapped to the distal region, q24.3 and q25.3, respectively. The data in the present study indicate conserved syntenic loci on mouse chromosome 19 and human chromosome 10 and predict that the structural gene encoding P45017 alpha will be found distal to GOT1 on human chromosome 10.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Multiple mechanisms for regulation of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----delta 4-isomerase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase cytochrome P450, and cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 messenger ribonucleic acid levels in primary cultures of mouse Leydig cells.

The regulation of mRNA levels for delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----delta 4-isomerase (3 beta HSD), 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase cytochrome P450 (P450(17 alpha] and cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) was studied in primary cultures of mouse Leydig cells. Treatment of Leydig cells with 8-bromo-cAMP (cAMP) was essential for expression of P450(17 alpha) mRNA, but not for 3 beta HSD. Treatment with cAMP caused a decrease in basal levels of 3 beta HSD mRNA. The addition of aminoglutethimide (AG), an inhibitor of cholesterol metabolism, to the cAMP-treated cultures resulted in increased expression of both 3 beta HSD and P450(17 alpha) mRNA levels. The addition of testosterone or the androgen agonist mibolerone to cAMP- plus AG-treated cultures reduced 3 beta HSD and P450(17 alpha) mRNA to levels comparable to those observed when cells were treated with cAMP only. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone reduced both basal and cAMP- plus AG-induced increases in 3 beta HSD mRNA, but not in P450(17 alpha) mRNA. Estradiol at a concentration of 1 microM had no effect on cAMP- plus AG-induced 3 beta HSD or P450(17 alpha) mRNA levels. The role of protein synthesis in mediating the cAMP induction of 3 beta HSD, P450(17 alpha), and P450scc was investigated. The addition of cycloheximide (10 micrograms/ml) to cAMP-treated cultures for 24 h completely suppressed both constitutive and cAMP-induced 3 beta HSD mRNA levels. Cycloheximide also repressed cAMP-induced levels of P450(17 alpha) to 12% of levels observed in the absence of cycloheximide. In sharp contrast, 24-h treatment with cycloheximide did not suppress cAMP induction of P450scc mRNA, but reduced basal levels by approximately 50%. A time course of induction by cAMP (50 microM) of P450(17 alpha) and P450scc mRNA showed very similar rates of increase in P450(17 alpha) and P450scc mRNA, with the greatest increase occurring between 12 and 24 h of treatment. The results of the study demonstrate that in normal mouse Leydig cells steady state levels of mRNA for 3 beta HSD, P450(17 alpha), and P450scc are differentially regulated. cAMP is required for maximal levels of all three mRNAs. There is high constitutive expression of 3 beta HSD and P450scc mRNA, while expression of P450(17 alpha) mRNA is absolutely dependent on cAMP stimulation. Endogenously produced testosterone negatively regulates the expression of cAMP-induced P450(17 alpha) and 3 beta HSD, while the glucocorticoid dexamethasone negatively regulates 3 beta HSD and P450scc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1990

Primary rat Sertoli and interstitial cells exhibit a differential response to cadmium.

Two cell types central to the support of spermatogenesis, the Sertoli cell and the interstitial (Leydig) cell, were isolated from the same cohort of young male rats and challenged with cadmium chloride to compare their susceptibility to the metal. Both cell types were cultured under similar conditions, and similar biochemical endpoints were chosen to minimize experimental variability. These endpoints include the uptake of 109Cd, reduction of the vital tetrazolium dye MTT, incorporation of 3H-leucine, change in heat-stable cadmium binding capacity, and production of lactate. Using these parameters, it was observed that the Sertoli cell cultures were adversely affected in a dose-and time-dependent manner, while the interstitial cell cultures, treated with identical concentrations of CdCl2, were less affected. The 72-hr LC50's for Sertoli cells and interstitial cells were 4.1 and 19.6 microM CdCl2, respectively. Thus, different cell populations within the same tissue may differ markedly in susceptibility to a toxicant. These in vitro data suggest that the Sertoli cell, in relation to the interstitium, is particularly sensitive to cadmium. Because the Sertoli cell provides functional support for the seminiferous epithelium, the differential sensitivity of this cell type may, in part, explain cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction, particularly at doses that leave the vascular epithelium intact.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Hormonal regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes, cholesterol side-chain cleavage and 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase in Leydig cells.

Testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells is dependent on two cytochrome P450 enzymes, cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (P450(17 alpha]. The expression of these two enzymes is differentially regulated by LH acting via its second messenger, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), and by specific steroid hormones. P450scc is constitutively expressed in normal mouse Leydig cells and in MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. Chronic cAMP stimulation increases the steady state levels of P450scc mRNA and de novo P450scc protein synthesis. In contrast, cAMP is obligatory for de novo synthesis of P450(17 alpha) in normal mouse Leydig cells; P450(17 alpha) synthesis ceases in the absence of luteinizing hormone or cAMP. MA-10 tumor Leydig cells do not express P450(17 alpha) even after treatment with cAMP. The amount of P450(17 alpha) in Leydig cells is negatively regulated by testosterone acting by two distinct mechanisms. At low concentrations, testosterone acts via the androgen receptor to repress cAMP-induced synthesis of P450(17 alpha), whereas at high concentrations this steroid increases the rate of degradation of the enzyme by an oxygen-mediated mechanism. Both constitutive and cAMP-induced synthesis of P450scc protein and steady state levels of mRNA are modulated by glucocorticoids. In normal mouse Leydig cells, glucocorticoids repress P450scc synthesis and steady state levels of P450scc mRNA, whereas glucocorticoids stimulate P450scc synthesis and levels of P450scc mRNA in the tumor Leydig cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme↗

PubMed1990

Glucocorticoid and cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate-mediated induction of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) in MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. Increases in mRNA are cycloheximide sensitive.

The regulation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) was investigated in MA-10 tumor Leydig cells. We recently demonstrated that the constitutive and cAMP-stimulated expression of P450scc in normal mouse Leydig cells is negatively regulated by glucocorticoids. We now report that glucocorticoids have the opposite effect in MA-10 cells causing a 1.7-fold increase in the rate of P450scc synthesis and a 2.1-fold increase in the amount of P450scc mRNA. Treatment of MA-10 cells with 10 microM 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) (cAMP) resulted in a 1.7-fold increase in P450scc synthesis and a 3-fold increase in P450scc mRNA. Combined treatment with dexamethasone and cAMP resulted in additive increases in synthesis (2.8-fold) and mRNA (5.3-fold). Increases in de novo synthesis and mRNA levels were reflected by modest increases in the amount of immunoreactive P450scc enzyme protein. Dexamethasone-mediated stimulation in synthesis and accumulation of P450scc mRNA were blocked by the antiglucocorticoid RU-486. Cycloheximide blocked both cAMP- and dexamethasone-induced increases but had no effect on constitutive levels of P450scc mRNA. Treatment of MA-10 cells with 10 microM 8-Br-cAMP had no effect on cell morphology and stimulated progesterone accumulation to a minor degree. Treatment of MA-10 cells with 1 mM 8-Br-cAMP resulted in cell rounding and loss of cells from culture dishes. The results of this study demonstrate that: 1) dexamethasone increases P450scc de novo synthesis and mRNA levels in MA-10 tumor Leydig cells, opposite to the effect in normal Leydig cells; 2) dexamethasone- and cAMP-stimulated increases occur via distinct mechanisms; 3) and synthesis of protein factor(s) is required to mediate the action of both dexamethasone and cAMP.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1990

The biosynthesis of cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 in the rabbit corpus luteum depends upon estrogen.

To gain a better understanding of the luteotropic action of estrogen, we have investigated the effect of estrogen on the synthesis of the enzyme, cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (P-450scc) in the rabbit corpus luteum. Using an established protocol, rabbits were treated with estradiol, and the estradiol was then withdrawn on day 9 of pseudopregnancy, which caused an 88% fall in serum progesterone within 48 h. In other rabbits, estradiol was replaced at 48 h which stimulated a 6.6-fold increase in serum progesterone concentration within the next 24 h. Luteal tissues were incubated with [35S]methionine and homogenized, and a mitochondrial fraction lysate was obtained. Equal trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity was taken for immunoprecipitation using a well-characterized polyclonal antiserum against bovine adrenal P-450scc. The immunoisolated proteins were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and radioactivity was visualized by autofluorography. The results indicate that the rate of synthesis of P-450scc in 48 h-estradiol withdrawn animals was markedly reduced, and by 72 h of withdrawal was barely detectable. When estradiol was reintroduced, the synthesis of P-450scc was increased. Despite the prominent changes in P-450scc synthesis, immunoblotting revealed only a minimal (approximately 30%) decrease in relative P-450scc content by 72 h after estradiol withdrawal. Analyses of DNA and protein contents of luteal tissues revealed an increase in DNA per mg luteal tissue, a decline in total tissue protein/DNA ratio, but no change in mitochondrial fraction protein/DNA ratio after estrogen withdrawal. The results indicate that de novo synthesis of P-450scc in the corpus luteum is sensitive to estrogen; however, the estrogen-sensitive rate-limiting step(s) for steroidogenesis are at other sites in the steroid biosynthetic pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Genotype at the P450scc locus determines differences in the amount of P450scc protein and maximal testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells.

A genetic difference in maximal testosterone production in Leydig cells relates to differences in the genotype at the P450scc locus. The genetic relationship between the P450scc gene, the amount of Leydig cell P450scc protein, and maximal testosterone production was determined in the F2 generation of mice derived from SWR/J mice (SWR), a high Leydig cell testosterone-producing strain, and from C3H/HeJ (C3H), a low Leydig cell testosterone-producing strain. A restriction fragment length polymorphism was identified in the P450scc gene between SWR and C3H mice. This restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to identify F2 mice homozygous for the SWR or the C3H alleles of the P450scc gene. The two types of homozygous mice were compared with regard to maximal testosterone production and the amounts of P450scc, P45017 alpha, and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase (3 beta HSD) proteins. Maximal testosterone production, amounts of P450scc and 3 beta HSD were significantly greater in the SWR than in the C3H progenitor mice. In the F2 mice, homozygous for either the SWR or the C3H allele of P450scc, the differences in maximal testosterone production and the amount of P450scc protein were comparable to the differences in the two progenitor strains. A significant correlation (r = 0.75; P less than 0.01) was found between the amount of P450scc protein and maximal testosterone production. No differences in the amounts of P45017 alpha or 3 beta HSD were observed in the F2 males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1989

Glucocorticoid-mediated repression of P450scc mRNA and de novo synthesis in cultured Leydig cells.

The regulation of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) by glucocorticoids was investigated in mouse Leydig cell cultures. We recently demonstrated that P450scc is constitutively synthesized in Leydig cells and that the rate of P450scc synthesis is increased by chronic treatment of the cultures with 8-bromo-cAMP. We now report that glucocorticoids, specifically, decrease the constitutive and cAMP-induced synthesis of P450scc protein as well as the accumulation of P450scc mRNA. The treatment of cultures with as little as 10 nM dexamethasone resulted in a 50-60% decrease in the rate of synthesis of P450scc protein and mRNA content. The glucocorticoid-mediated decrease in P450scc synthesis was prevented when cultures were treated with the antiglucocorticoid RU-486. RU-486 alone had no effect on the rate of protein synthesis. The effect was specific for glucocorticoids; corticosterone (100 nM) or cortisol (100 nM) brought about a similar decrease as dexamethasone. Treatment of cultures with the progesterone agonist R5020 (100 nM), testosterone (2 microM), or estradiol (50 nM) had no effect on the rate of specific protein synthesis. The synthesis of iron sulfur protein reductase (ISP-reductase) and F1-ATPase were not affected by dexamethasone, indicating that the effect was specific for P450scc. The amount of P450scc mRNA was decreased 61% by dexamethasone and increased 144% by treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP. These data together with our previous finding on the negative regulation of P450(17 alpha) protein synthesis by testosterone suggest that the steroidogenic P450 enzymes in Leydig cells are negatively regulated by steroid hormones acting via their cognate receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

The structural genes encoding P450scc and P450arom are closely linked on mouse chromosome 9.

The chromosomal location of the two genes that encode the cytochrome P450 enzymes, P450SCC (cholesterol side-chain cleavage) and P450arom (aromatase), was identified in the mouse. Genomic DNA from several progenitor strains of recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice was tested with various restriction endonucleases for restriction fragment length variations. Variation in Bam HI fragment length was detected between A/J and C57BL/6J. Genomic DNA from 43 RI strains derived from A/J and C57BL/6J was analyzed in a similar manner. Complete concordance of the strain distribution pattern for P450SCC and that of P450arom was observed for 43 RI strains. The lack of recombination indicates that the structural genes encoding P450SCC and P450arom are closely linked. The strain distribution patterns of the P450SCC and P450arom genes were compared with other markers previously mapped in these RI lines. The results demonstrate that both P450SCC and P450arom are found on mouse chromosome 9. Of the other loci on mouse chromosome 9, P450SCC and P450arom are most closely linked to the gene encoding P1450. Among 31 RI strains for which the three loci were analyzed, only one example of discordance was found. Human P450SCC, P450arom and P1450 have been mapped to human chromosome 15. However, the distance between the human P450SCC gene and other loci has not been determined. The information presented in this report, along with other studies, indicate conservation between homologous human and mouse chromosomal regions and suggest that human P450SCC will be found to be closely linked with human P450arom.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Testosterone-enhanced oxygen-mediated degradation of P-450(17) alpha in mouse Leydig cell cultures.

The present study investigated the process by which the microsomal cytochrome P-450 17 alpha-hydroxylase enzyme (P-450(17) alpha) activity in Leydig cells is decreased by steroid products in an oxygen-dependent manner. Leydig cells were maintained in primary culture at ambient (19% O2) or reduced (1% O2) oxygen tension and treated with 8-bromo-cAMP or steroids for 48 h. The amount and activity of P-450(17) alpha present in the treated cells were measured to determine whether changes in the activity of the enzyme due to treatment correlated with changes in the amount of the enzyme protein. At ambient oxygen tension the amount of P-450(17) alpha declined in Leydig cells treated with cAMP, and this decrease could be prevented when cultures were maintained at reduced oxygen tension. Treatment of cultures with testosterone caused an oxygen-sensitive decrease in the amount of the enzyme similar in extent to the cAMP-induced decrease. Reductions in the amount of P-450(17) alpha corresponded to reductions in the activity of the enzyme. The decline in the amount of P-450(17) alpha was due to increased decay of the enzyme protein and not to a decrease in the rate of synthesis of P-450. In contrast to testosterone, neither estradiol nor cortisol affected the amount of P-450(17) alpha. The data are consistent with the proposal that steroid products acting as pseudosubstrates cause decreases in P-450(17) alpha activity by enhancing oxygen radical-mediated damage to the enzyme. The damaged enzyme resulting from this process is more prone to degradation than is the intact protein.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1988

Quantification of P450scc, P450(17) alpha, and iron sulfur protein reductase in Leydig cells and adrenals of inbred strains of mice.

The relationship of maximal testosterone production to the amounts of cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P450scc), 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (P450(17) alpha), and iron sulfur protein (ISP) reductase was determined in Leydig cells from four inbred strains of mice (RF/J, SWR/J, C3H/He, and DBA/2). The amounts of P450scc, P450(17) alpha, and ISP reductase were also determined in adrenal glands of the same mice. cAMP-stimulated testosterone production and P450scc protein were high in RF/J and SWR/J compared to C3H/He and DBA/2 Leydig cells. A significant correlation between the amount of this enzyme and the capacity for testosterone production was found (r = 0.89; P less than 0.0005). ISP reductase was highest in RF/J, SWR/J, and C3H/He Leydig cells, which are significantly different from DBA/2. No significant differences in the amount of P450(17) alpha in Leydig cells from the four strains could be detected, and neither ISP reductase nor P450(17) alpha correlated with testosterone production. To ascertain if tissue-specific factors affect the expression of these enzymes, P450scc, ISP reductase, and P450(17) alpha were quantitated in adrenals from the same mice. P450scc and ISP reductase were expressed differently in adrenals compared to Leydig cells; levels of both proteins were high in C3H/He and RF/J adrenals compared to SWR/J and DBA/2. P450scc and ISP reductase were coordinately expressed in the adrenal, unlike in Leydig cells. P450(17) alpha was not detected in mouse adrenal glands. The results of this study suggest that strain-related differences in the capacity of Leydig cells for testosterone production may be determined by the amount of P450scc per Leydig cell. The expression of P450scc and ISP reductase in Leydig cells and adrenal glands appears to be influenced by both genetic and tissue-specific factors.

Adrenal Glands↗