Affinity labeling of human placental 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase and steroid delta-isomerase: evidence for bifunctional catalysis by a different conformation of the same protein for each enzyme activity

Identification of novel metabolites of abiraterone in human serum and their metabolic pathways

Two novel abiraterone (Abi, 3β-OH-Abi) metabolites in human serum were identified as 3α-OH-Abi and Δ5-Abi (D5A). Both metabolites were confirmed by their retention times on LC/MS and their product-ion mass spectra on LC-MS/MS compared to those of authentic compounds, which were chemically synthesized. The plausible metabolic pathways of these two metabolites are as follows: Abi is first oxidized to D5A by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and then irreversibly converted to Δ4-Abi (D4A) by ∆5-∆4 isomerase. Presumably, D5A detection is difficult because of its rapid conversion to D4A and its low concentration in serum samples. In contrast, the low concentration 3α-OH-Abi was generated by reducing the remaining D5A using 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD).

Human cytosolic 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily display significant 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity: implications for steroid hormone metabolism and action

The source of NADPH-dependent cytosolic 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) activity is unknown to date. This important reaction leads e.g. to the reduction of the potent androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into inactive 3beta-androstanediol (3beta-Diol). Four human cytosolic aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1-AKR1C4) are known to act as non-positional-specific 3alpha-/17beta-/20alpha-HSDs. We now demonstrate that AKR1Cs catalyze the reduction of DHT into both 3alpha- and 3beta-Diol (established by (1)H NMR spectroscopy). The rates of 3alpha- versus 3beta-Diol formation varied significantly among the isoforms, but with each enzyme both activities were equally inhibited by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug flufenamic acid. In vitro, AKR1Cs also expressed substantial 3alpha[17beta]-hydroxysteroid oxidase activity with 3alpha-Diol as the substrate. However, in contrast to the 3-ketosteroid reductase activity of the enzymes, their hydroxysteroid oxidase activity was potently inhibited by low micromolar concentrations of the opposing cofactor (NADPH). This indicates that in vivo all AKR1Cs will preferentially work as reductases. Human hepatoma (HepG2) cells (which lack 3beta-HSD/Delta(5-4) ketosteroid isomerase mRNA expression, but express AKR1C1-AKR1C3) were able to convert DHT into 3alpha- and 3beta-Diol. This conversion was inhibited by flufenamic acid establishing the in vivo significance of the 3alpha/3beta-HSD activities of the AKR1C enzymes. Molecular docking simulations using available crystal structures of AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 demonstrated how 3alpha/3beta-HSD activities are achieved. The observation that AKR1Cs are a source of 3beta-tetrahydrosteroids is of physiological significance because: (i) the formation of 3beta-Diol (in contrast to 3alpha-Diol) is virtually irreversible, (ii) 3beta-Diol is a pro-apoptotic ligand for estrogen receptor beta, and (iii) 3beta-tetrahydrosteroids act as gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonists.

The in vivo metabolism of tibolone in animal species

The in vivo tissue distribution and metabolism of tibolone was studied in different animals to further investigate the compound's tissue-specificity. Tibolone's metabolism was studied in vivo in rats and rabbits by administration of [16-3H]-tibolone and the metabolic pattern was determined in urine and faeces after oral administration to female rats and dogs. The main excretory pathway was found to be excretion in the faeces. Important phase-I metabolic routes were the reduction of the 3-keto to the 3a- or 3beta-hydroxy functions with a preference for 3alpha-OH in rats and for 3beta-OH in dogs. To a lesser extent, hydroxylation reactions at C2 and C7, and a shift of the delta5(10)-double bond to a delta4(5)-position also occurred. The main phase-II metabolic route was sulphate conjugation of the hydroxyl groups at C3 and C17. Since the oxidation reactions form only a minor part of the metabolism of tibolone, it is concluded that the cytochrome P450 enzymes do not play an important role in tibolone's metabolism. For both phases, quantitative differences were found between the species. In human similar metabolites are found. Profiling of the target organs in female rats and rabbits showed a tissue-specific distribution of metabolites. The majority of the metabolites existed as sulphate conjugates and no glucuronidated conjugates were observed. The same metabolites were found in both the circulation and the tissues. However, different tissues had quantitatively different metabolic profiles.

Differential regulation of Leydig cell 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase activity by gonadotropin and thyroid hormone in a freshwater perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)

Leydig cells were isolated from the perch testes belonging to the pre-spawning stage by collagenase treatment and mechanical separation followed by percoll gradient. They were incubated in vitro either for 5 h or at different times in the absence (control) or presence of piscine gonadotropin (GTH, 2 microg (1 x 10(6) cells)(-1)) or 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3, 50 ng (1 x 10(6) cells(-1)) or T3-induced protein (TIP, 2 microg (1 x 10(6) cells)(-1)). 3Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4-isomerase (3beta-HSD) activity was determined by the conversion of [3H]delta5-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to [3H]delta4-androstenedione or [3H]delta5-pregnenolone to [3H]delta4-progesterone (P4) or by spectrophotometric estimation of NADH formation from NAD. T3 significantly increased (P < 0.01) both delta5-DHEA to delta4-androstenedione and delta5-pregnenolone to delta4-P4 conversion in Leydig cells indicating stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity. T3 stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity could be inhibited by cycloheximide (50 microg ml(-1)) suggesting the involvement of T3-induced protein (TIP) which was isolated and purified earlier in this laboratory from goat Leydig cells [15]. Addition of TIP or GTH significantly stimulated Leydig cell 3beta-HSD activity (P < 0.01). However, there was a difference between TIP and GTH stimulation in time kinetic study where TIP enhanced 3beta-HSD activity at 1 h (P < 0.05), reached its peak at 3 h (P < 0.01) and then plateaued till 8 h. GTH, on the other hand, did not show any stimulation of 3beta-HSD activity for 2 h, stimulation was marked only at 3 h (P < 0.05), reached a peak at 6 h (P < 0.01) and then leveled off. Determination of Km and Vmax of the enzyme showed an increase in the velocity of reaction by GTH with unaltered Km. TIP increased both velocity and affinity of the enzyme. GTH significantly increased the synthesis of 3beta-HSD protein at 3 h (P < 0.01) reaching maximal stimulation at 6 h which clearly coincided with the enzyme activity. In contrast, TIP had no effect on 3beta-HSD protein synthesis, but its direct addition to 3beta-HSD enzyme preparation in vitro caused significant augmentation of the enzyme activity (P < 0.01) suggesting thereby its modulatory effect on the enzyme. Results, therefore, show that although both T3 and GTH stimulated perch testicular Leydig cell 3beta-HSD activity, T3 effect was not direct but mediated via TIP and there is a clear distinction between GTH and TIP stimulation. GTH increased the enzyme activity by stimulating 3beta-HSD protein synthesis while TIP acts directly on the enzyme modulating it from less active to more active state.

Structure-function relationships of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: contribution made by the molecular genetics of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency

The transformation of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroids into the corresponding delta 4-3-keto-steroids is an essential step for the biosynthesis of all classes of active steroids: progesterone, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens. These steroid hormones play a crucial role in the differentiation, development, growth, and physiological function of most human tissues. The structures of several cDNAs encoding 3 beta-HSD isoenzymes have been characterized in human and several other vertebrate species: human types I and II; macaque; bovine; rat types I, II, III, and IV; mouse types I, II, III, IV, V and VI; hamster types I, II, and III; and rainbow trout. Their transient expression reveals that 3 beta-HSD and delta 5-delta 4-isomerase activities reside within a single protein. Distinct approaches have been used for a better understanding of the structure-function relationships of these 3 beta-HSD enzymes: i) affinity radiolabeling studies of the human type I 3 beta-HSD; ii) identification and the functional consequences of the human type-II 3 beta-HSD mutations detected in patients with 3 beta-HSD deficiency. Taken together, all of these data were examined to determine whether the relationship between the genotype and the phenotype of these patients were consistent with in vitro mutagenesis studies. 3 beta-HSD deficiency, transmitted in an autosomic recessive disorder, is characterized by varying degrees of salt wasting; in genetic males, fetal testicular 3 beta-HSD deficiency causes an undervirilized male genitalia (male pseudohermaphroditism); females exhibit either normal sexual differentiation or mild virilization. All mutations were detected in the type II 3 beta-HSD gene, which is expressed almost exclusively in the adrenals and gonads. No mutation was detected in the type I 3 beta-HSD gene, which is expressed in peripheral tissues. The finding of a normal type I 3 beta-HSD gene explains the elevated delta 5-steroids and mild virilization of affected girls at birth. To date, 24 mutations have been identified in 25 distinct families with 3 beta-HSD deficiencies. All nonsense and frameshift mutations introducing a premature termination codon were associated with the classical salt-losing form. The locations of these nonsense mutations suggest that at least the first 318 amino acids out of 371 are required for 3 beta-HSD activity. The consequences of the missense mutations on some domains of the 3 beta-enzyme, such as membrane-spanning domains, cofactor-binding site, and steroid-binding site, were reviewed. The future crystallization of the overexpressed normal and mutant-type II-3 beta-HSD enzymes should contribute to a better understanding of the structure-function relationships of this enzyme, especially for missense mutations located outside the putative functional regions.

Structure-function relationships and molecular genetics of the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene family

The isoenzymes of the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/5-ene-4-ene-isomerase (3 beta-HSD) gene family catalyse the transformation of all 5-ene-3 beta-hydroxysteroids into the corresponding 4-ene-3-keto-steroids and are responsible for the interconversion of 3 beta-hydroxy- and 3-keto-5 alpha-androstane steroids. The two human 3 beta-HSD genes and the three related pseudogenes are located on the chromosome 1p13.1 region, close to the centromeric marker D1Z5. The 3 beta-HSD isoenzymes prefer NAD+ to NADP+ as cofactor with the exception of the rat liver type III and mouse kidney type IV, which both prefer NADPH as cofactor for their specific 3-ketosteroid reductase activity due to the presence of Tyr36 in the rat type III and of Phe36 in mouse type IV enzymes instead of Asp36 found in other 3 beta-HSD isoenzymes. The rat types I and IV, bovine and guinea pig 3 beta-HSD proteins possess an intrinsic 17 beta-HSD activity specific to 5 alpha-androstane 17 beta-ol steroids, thus suggesting that such "secondary" activity is specifically responsible for controlling the bioavailability of the active androgen DHT. To elucidate the molecular basis of classical form of 3 beta-HSD deficiency, the structures of the types I and II 3 beta-HSD genes in 12 male pseudohermaphrodite 3 beta-HSD deficient patients as well as in four female patients were analyzed. The 14 different point mutations characterized were all detected in the type II 3 beta-HSD gene, which is the gene predominantly expressed in the adrenals and gonads, while no mutation was detected in the type I 3 beta-HSD gene predominantly expressed in the placenta and peripheral tissues. The mutant type II 3 beta-HSD enzymes carrying mutations detected in patients affected by the salt-losing form exhibit no detectable activity in intact transfected cells, at the exception of L108W and P186L proteins, which have some residual activity (approximately 1%). Mutations found in nonsalt-loser patients have some residual activity ranging from approximately 1 to approximately 10% compared to the wild-type enzyme. Characterization of mutant proteins provides unique information on the structure-function relationships of the 3 beta-HSD superfamily.

An NADH-induced conformational change that mediates the sequential 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase activities is supported by affinity labeling and the time-dependent activation of isomerase

3 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and steroid delta-isomerase were copurified as a single protein from human placental microsomes. Because NADH is an essential activator of isomerase (Kact = 2.4 microM, Vmax = 0.6 mumol/min/mg), the affinity alkylating nucleotide, 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-diphosphate (8-BDB-TADP), was synthesized. 8-BDB-TADP activates isomerase (Kact = 338 microM, Vmax = 2.1 mumol/min/mg) prior to inactivating the enzyme. The inactivation kinetics for isomerase fit the Kitz and Wilson model for time-dependent, irreversible inhibition by 8-BDB-TADP (KI = 314 microM, first order maximal rate constant kobs = 7.8 x 10(-3) s-1). NADH (50 microM) significantly protects isomerase from inactivation by 8-BDB-TADP (100 microM). The isomerase activity is inactivated more rapidly by 8-BDB-TADP as the concentration of the affinity alkylator increases from 67 microM (t1/2 = 8.4 min) to 500 microM (t1/2 = 2.4 min). In sharp contrast, the 3 beta-HSD activity is inactivated more slowly as the concentration of 8-BDB-TADP increases from 67 microM (t1/2 = 4.8 min) to 500 microM (t1/2 = 60.0 min). We hypothesized that the paradoxical kinetics of 3 beta-HSD inactivation is a consequence of the activation of isomerase by 8-BDB-TADP via a nucleotide-induced shift in enzyme conformation. Biophysical support for an NADH-induced conformational change was obtained using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding of NADH (10 microM) quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme protein in a time-dependent manner (rate constant kapp = 8.1 x 10(-3) s-1, t1/2 = 85 s). A time lag is also observed for the activation of isomerase by NADH. This combination of affinity labeling and biophysical data using nucleotide derivatives supports our model for the sequential reaction mechanism; the cofactor product of the 3 beta-HSD reaction, NADH, activates isomerase by inducing a conformational change in the single, bifunctional enzyme protein.

Topography of human placental 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-4 isomerase in microsomal membrane. A study using limited proteolysis and immunoblotting

The membrane-bound enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta 5-4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD) catalyzes the formation of delta 4-3-ketosteroids from delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroids in placental, adrenal, testicular and ovarian tissues. In the present study was investigated the transverse-plane topography of 3 beta-HSD within the human placental microsome membranes employing immune-replica analysis in combination with surface specific proteolysis. The crucial domains of the enzyme for the dehydrogenase and isomerase reactions are inactivated by proteinase treatments under conditions where latency of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was 95%. The data indicate that these crucial domains face the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Incubation of the intact microsomes with trypsin produces several immune reactive fragments ranging from 29 to 11 kDa in addition to 42 kDa native enzyme, one of them being shielded by the membrane structure and/or by other intrinsic and peripheral membrane proteins. Carboxypeptidase Y degraded the C terminus of the 42 kDa native 3 beta-HSD in intact and detergent-disrupted microsomes, preserving partially a fragment of 31 kDa. The results from the carboxypeptidase Y digestion indicate that the carboxy terminal end of the 3 beta-HSD enzyme is located on the cytoplasmic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum and that only a small fragment of approx. 11 kDa could be removed easily without affecting the enzyme activity. From these data and the predicted hydropathy analysis from the literature, we tried to assign a transmembrane arrangement to the human placental 3 beta-HSD. Our results support a topology model in which practically all the structural 3 beta-HSD enzyme is exposed to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane with one NH2-terminal-anchoring segment and all the 3 beta-HSD enzyme activity facing to the cytoplasmic side within the 31 kDa NH2-terminal peptide.

Structure, regulation and role of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aromatase enzymes in the formation of sex steroids in classical and peripheral intracrine tissues

In addition to the classical steroidogenic tissues, namely the ovaries, testes, adrenals and placenta, a large series of human peripheral tissues possess all the enzymatic systems required for the formation of active androgens and oestrogens from a relatively large supply of precursor steroids provided by the adrenals. This chapter describes the structure, function, tissue-specific expression and regulation of the 3 beta-HSD and 17 beta-HSD gene families as well as some information about the aromatase gene. While, so far, most therapeutic approaches have been aimed and limited at controlling steroid formation by the classical steroidogenic tissues, it is clear that major efforts should now be turned towards intracrinology in order to understand better the physiological mechanisms controlling local steroid formation in peripheral target tissues and thus be in a position to develop novel therapeutic approaches that take into account the high proportion of steroids that are made locally and are responsible for the growth and function of normal as well as cancerous tissue.

Affinity labeling in the presence of the reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide NADH identifies peptides associated with the activities of human placental 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify peptides associated with activity in the primary structure of human placental 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3 beta-HSD/isomerase).

METHODS

Purified human placental 3 beta-HSD/isomerase was affinity-radioalkylated by 2 alpha-bromo [2'-14C]acetoxyprogesterone (2 alpha-[14C]BAP) in the presence or absence of the reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide, NADH. NADH protected both 3 beta-HSD and isomerase from inactivation by 2 alpha-[14C]BAP. Tryptic peptides of unprotected and NADH-protected radioalkylated enzyme were purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The amino acid sequence of each radiolabeled peptide was determined and localized within the cDNA-derived primary structure of the enzyme.

RESULTS

According to the sequence analyses, NADH shifted radioalkylation by 2 alpha-[14C]BAP away from the Arg-250 peptide (251GQFYYISDDTPHQSYDNLNYTLSK274) and toward the Lys-135 tryptic peptide (136EIIQNGHEEEPLENTWPAPYPHSK159). Based on amino acid analysis to quantitate radioactivity incorporated per nmol peptide, NADH decreased the radiolabeling of His262 in the Arg-250 peptide by 8.2-fold. His142 in the Lys-135 peptide was radiolabeled by 2 alpha-[14C]BAP only in the presence of NADH.

CONCLUSIONS

We have previously reported that the substrate pregnenolone blocks the inactivation of 3 beta-HSD by 2 alpha-[14C]BAP through the protection of His262 in the Arg-250 peptide. Protection by NADH against the inactivation of isomerase as well as 3 beta-HSD is evidence that 2 alpha-[14C]BAP binds at the active sites of both enzyme activities. Because the same Arg-250 peptide has been affinity-alkylated in studies that targeted each of the two activities, we propose that the 3 beta-HSD and isomerase reactions are catalyzed in this region of the enzyme protein.

17-Hydroxylase and andien-beta synthetase activities in immature pig testis microsomal fraction: kinetic studies of the pregnenolone binding site and possible intermediates of the reactions

The microsomal fraction from the testes of immature pigs can convert pregnenolone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone and also to 5,16-androstadien-3 beta-ol (andien-beta). The available evidence supports the hypothesis that both these reactions are catalysed by one enzyme, cytochrome-P450(17 alpha). In the absence of cytochrome b5, 17-hydroxypregnenolone will be the major product but that if cytochrome b5 is present in sufficient quantity, andien-beta becomes a major product. The point of divergence between the conversion of pregnenolone to either 17-hydroxypregnenolone or andien-beta was investigated using enzyme kinetic analysis to determine whether 16 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, 20 beta-hydroxypregnenolone or 16-dehydropregnenolone could be specific intermediates to one reaction or the other. Product inhibition by 17-hydroxypregnenolone and andien-beta was competitive for both 17-hydroxylase and "andien-beta synthetase" supporting the current view of a common active site for both reactions. 16 alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone was a very poor competitive inhibitor of 17-hydroxylase and andien-beta synthetase with Ki(app) values many fold greater than the Km(app) for pregnenolone or the Ki(app) for reaction product, rendering it unlikely that 16 alpha hydroxylation is a key intermediary step in either pathway. 20 beta-Hydroxypregnenolone was a more potent inhibitor of andien-beta synthetase than of 17-hydroxylase and for the latter enzyme activity, the Ki(app) was lower than that for 17-hydroxypregnenolone itself. However, for andien-beta synthetase, 20 beta-hydroxypregnenolone may be an early intermediate as the Ki(app) was consistent with the affinity for the active site being intermediate between the Km(app) for pregnenolone and the Ki(app) for andien-beta. 16-Dehydropregnenolone was equipotent at inhibiting 17-hydroxylase and andien-beta synthetase activities suggesting that 16-dehydropregnenes may be involved in the stages immediately prior to C21 side-chain cleavage.

3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in tissues of the human fetus determined with 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol and dehydroepiandrosterone as substrates

3 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD)/delta 5-->4-isomerase activity in steroidogenic tissues is required for the synthesis of biologically active steroids. Previously, by use of dehydroepiandrosterone (3 beta-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one, DHEA) as substrate, it was established that in addition to steroidogenic tissues 3 beta-HSD/delta 5-->4-isomerase activity also is expressed in extraglandular tissues of the human fetus. In the present study, we attempted to determine whether the C-5,C-6-double bond of DHEA serves to influence 3 beta-HSD activity. For this purpose, we compared the efficiencies of a 3 beta-hydroxy-5-ene steroid (DHEA) and a 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-reduced steroid (5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, 5 alpha-A-diol) as substrates for the enzyme. The apparent Michaelis constant (Km) for 5 alpha-A-diol in midtrimester placenta, fetal liver, and fetal skin tissues was at least one order of magnitude higher than that for DHEA, viz the apparent Km of placental 3 beta-HSD for 5 alpha-A-diol was in the range of 18 to 40 mumol/l (n = 3) vs 0.45 to 4 mumol/l for DHEA (n = 3); for the liver enzyme, 17 mumol/l for 5 alpha-A-diol and 0.60 mumol/l for DHEA, and for the skin enzyme 14 and 0.18 mumol/l, respectively. Moreover, in 13 human fetal tissues evaluated the maximal velocities obtained with 5 alpha-A-diol as substrate were higher than those obtained with DHEA. A similar finding in regard to Kms and rates of product formation was obtained by use of purified placental 3 beta-HSD with DHEA, pregnenolone, and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one (epiandrosterone) as substrates: the Km of 3 beta-HSD for DHEA was 2.8 mumol/l, for pregnenolone 1.9 mumol/l, and for epiandrosterone 25 mumol/l. The specific activity of the purified enzyme with pregnenolone as substrate was 27 nmol/mg protein.min and, with epiandrosterone, 127 nmol/mg protein.min. With placental homogenate as the source of 3 beta-HSD, DHEA at a constant level of 5 mumol/l behaved as a competitive inhibitor when the radiolabeled substrate, [3H]5 alpha-A-diol, was present in concentrations of 20 to 60 mumol/l, but at lower substrate concentrations the inhibition was of the mixed type; similar results were obtained with [3H]DHEA as the substrate at variable concentrations in the presence of a fixed concentration of 5 alpha-A-diol (40 mumol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)