Aromatase and steroid sulfatase from human placenta

Association of CYP19 gene SNPs (rs7176005 and rs6493497) with polycystic ovary syndrome susceptibility in Northern Chinese women

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs7176005 and rs6493497 in CYP19 gene and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Northern Chinese women.

METHODS

In this case-control study, a total of 340 women with PCOS and 340 matched healthy controls were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method was used to investigate two SNPs (rs7176005 and rs6493497) in the 5'-flanking region of CYP19 gene exon 1.

RESULTS

We observed a significant association of rs7176005 and rs6493497 with reduced risk of PCOS. Compared with CC genotype, a significant association of CT genotype (p = 0.019), TT genotype (p < 0.001) and combined CT + TT genotype (p < 0.001) with reduced risk of PCOS was observed. The result of linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that these two SNPs are in complete linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 1). For rs7176005 SNP, compared with CC genotype, CT, TT and CT + TT genotypes reduced the risk of PCOS. The age, BMI-adjusted OR were 0.650 (95% CI = 0.460-0.917), 0.158 (95% CI = 0.066-0.376) and 0.545(95% CI = 0.391-0.759), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight a significant association between CYP19 gene polymorphisms and PCOS susceptibility, implying potential protective effects of T and A alleles. Of course, the major limitation of this study is the sample size of the case-control study. Larger cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and investigate the underlying causes.

Transcriptomic analysis of the effects exerted by curcumin on dihydrotestosterone-induced ovarian granulosa cells

Purpose

Hyperandrogenism is a leading cause of developmental retardation in ovarian granulosa cells. Previous studies have indicated that curcumin significantly improves follicular dysplasia, a characteristic of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Our purpose was to explore the signaling pathways which enable curcumin to protect the development of hyperandrogen-induced granulosa cells.

Methods

Ovarian granulosa cells treated with or without curcumin at different dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, were screened for cell viability, reactive oxygen species production, and apoptosis. RNA sequencing (transcriptome sequencing) was used to determine global gene expression in DHT-induced granulosa cells treated with curcumin.

Results

24 hours of combined curcumin and DHT treatment inhibited granulosa cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin upregulated estrogen synthesis-related enzymes, downregulated lipid metabolism-related genes and the glucuronic acid process, inhibited androgen receptor (AR) activity, significantly improved cell viability, and corrected granulosa cell development. Gene set enrichment and genome transcriptome pathway analyses revealed the potential role played by curcumin in protecting granulosa cell development.

Conclusion

High androgen levels may disrupt steroid hormone synthesis and lipid metabolism pathways associated with granulosa cell development, thereby activating AR and inhibiting estrogen biosynthesis. Curcumin restores granulosa cell development by correcting abnormal steroid gene expression and disordered lipid fatty acid metabolism.

Steroid sulfatase and sulfotransferases in the estrogen and androgen action of gynecological cancers: current status and perspectives

Sulfatase (STS) and sulfotransferases (SULT) have important role in the biosynthesis and action of steroid hormones. STS catalyzes the hydrolysis of estrone-sulfate (E1-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), while sulfotransferases catalyze the reverse reaction and require 3-phosphoadenosine-5-phosphosulfate as a sulfate donor. These enzymes control the concentration of active estrogens and androgens in peripheral tissues. Aberant expression of STS and SULT genes has been found in both, benign hormone-dependent diseases and hormone-dependent cancers. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge on the role of STS and SULT in gynecological cancers, endometrial (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC). EC is the most common and OC the most lethal gynecological cancer. These cancers primarily affect postmenopausal women and therefore rely on the local production of steroid hormones from inactive precursors, either DHEA-S or E1-S. Following cellular uptake by organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) or organic anion transporters (OAT), STS and SULT regulate the formation of active estrogens and androgens, thus disturbed balance between STS and SULT can contribute to the onset and progression of cancer. The importance of these enzymes in peripheral estrogen biosynthesis has long been recognized, and this review provides new data on the important role of STS and SULT in the formation and action of androgens, their regulation and inhibition, and their potential as prognostic biomarkers.

Aromatase as a novel target of parabens in human and rat placentas: 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship and docking analysis

Aromatase (CYP19A1), a pivotal enzyme in the biosynthesis of estradiol from testosterone, is predominantly expressed in reproductive tissues including placentas. This study investigated the effects of paraben acid and nine parabens on the activity of human and rat CYP19A1 using microsomes derived from human and rat placentas and on estradiol secretion in human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells. The results showed that propyl, butyl, hexyl, heptyl, and nonyl parabens significantly inhibited human CYP19A1 activity, with IC50 values of 66.37, 61.08, 55.65, 48.26, and 27.24 μM, respectively. In BeWo cells, these parabens notably diminished estradiol secretion at concentrations of 100 μM. Similarly, rat CYP19A1 was inhibited by these parabens, with IC50 values of 98.07, 70.10, 41.30, 27.93, and 6.33 μM for propyl, butyl, hexyl, heptyl, and nonyl parabens, respectively. Kinetic analysis identified these compounds as mixed inhibitors. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the partition coefficient value, molecular weight, the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol moiety, as well as heavy atom number and IC50 values. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis highlighted the critical role of hydrophobic regions in determining inhibitory potency. Docking studies suggested that parabens interact with the heme-iron binding site of both human and rat CYP19A1. This study elucidates the inhibitory effects of various parabens on CYP19A1 and their binding mechanisms, thereby providing a deeper understanding of their potential impact on estrogen biosynthesis.

Steroid sulfatase in mouse liver and testis: Characterization, ontogeny and localization

Steroid hormones often circulate in the plasma as inactive sulfated forms, such as estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) converts these steroids into active forms, mainly estrogens, in peripheral tissues. STS is present in most tissues, but it occurs at higher levels in certain organs, notably liver and placenta. In this study, we examined the tissue distribution of STS in a prominent laboratory model, the house mouse (Mus musculus). Tissues included were heart, liver, small intestine, skeletal muscle, and gonads of both sexes. An 3H-estrone-sulfate conversion assay was used to measure STS activity in tissue homogenates and extracts. STS activities were high for hepatic tissue homogenates of both genders. Testicular STS levels were similar to those of liver, while STS activities of ovary, small intestine, heart, and muscle were considerably lower. The specific STS inhibitors, EMATE and STX-64 virtually eliminated STS activity in hepatic microsomes and cytosols, verifying that the observed enzyme activity was due to STS. Enzyme kinetic assays showed Km values of 8.6 µM for liver and 9.1 µM for testis, using E1S as substrate. Hepatic and testicular STS activities, measured in CHAPS-extracted microsome, were low up to 5 weeks of age and were higher through 56 weeks. Western blotting, with a specific STS antibody, confirmed the presence of STS protein (65 Da) in both liver and testis. Immunofluorescence of tissue sections detected the presence of STS protein in hepatocytes, in testicular Leydig cells and in seminiferous tubules (Leydig cells and developing germ cells). These results suggest that STS may have a significant role in testicular function.

Molecular Targets of Minor Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer: In Silico and In Vitro Studies

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer therapy has been facing remarkable changes. Classic treatments are now combined with other therapies to improve efficacy and surpass resistance. Indeed, the emergence of resistance demands the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Due to key estrogen signaling, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treatment has always been focused on aromatase inhibition and ER modulation. Lately, the effects of phytocannabinoids, mainly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have been evaluated in different cancers, including breast. However, Cannabis sativa contains more than 120 phytocannabinoids less researched and understood.

METHODS

Here, we evaluated, both in silico and in vitro, the ability of 129 phytocannabinoids to modulate important molecular targets in ER+ breast cancer: aromatase, ER, and androgen receptor (AR).

RESULTS

In silico results suggested that some cannabinoids may inhibit aromatase and act as ERα antagonists. Nine selected cannabinoids showed, in vitro, potential to act either as ER antagonists with inverse agonist properties, or as ER agonists. Moreover, these cannabinoids were considered as weak aromatase inhibitors and AR antagonists with inverse agonist action.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we present, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the actions of the phytocannabinoids in targets of ER+ breast tumors, pointing out their therapeutic potential in cancer and in other diseases.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor and Oxidative Stress in Tendon Degeneration: A Molecular Perspective

Tendinopathy is a debilitating condition marked by degenerative changes in the tendons. Its complex pathophysiology involves intrinsic, extrinsic, and physiological factors. While its intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been extensively studied, the role of physiological factors, such as hypoxia and oxidative stress, remains largely unexplored. This review article delves into the contribution of hypoxia-associated genes and oxidative-stress-related factors to tendon degeneration, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies. The unique aspect of this study lies in its pathway-based evidence, which sheds light on how these factors can be targeted to enhance overall tendon health.