Showing papers on "Pregnenolone published in 1991"

Pregnenolone sulfate: a positive allosteric modulator at the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

Abstract: The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is believed to play a major role in learning and in excitotoxic neuronal damage associated with stroke and epilepsy. Pregnenolone sulfate, a neurosteroid, specifically enhances NMDA-gated currents in spinal cord neurons, while inhibiting receptors for the inhibitory amino acids glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, as well as non-NMDA glutamate receptors. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that neurosteroids such as pregnenolone sulfate are involved in regulating the balance between excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system.

Normal genes for the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme, P450scc, in congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract: Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia is the most severe form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Affected individuals can synthesize no steroid hormones, and hence are all phenotypic females with a severe salt-losing syndrome that is fatal if not treated in early infancy. All previous studies have suggested that the disorder is in the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), which converts cholesterol to pregnenolone. A newborn patient was diagnosed by the lack of significant concentrations of adrenal or gonadal steroids either before or after stimulation with corticotropin (ACTH) or gonadotropin (hCG). The P450scc gene in this patient and in a previously described patient were grossly intact, as evidenced by Southern blotting patterns. Enzymatic (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and sequencing of the coding regions of their P450scc genes showed these were identical to the previously cloned human P450scc cDNA and gene sequences. Undetected compound heterozygosity was ruled out in the new patient by sequencing P450scc cDNA enzymatically amplified from gonadal RNA. Northern blots of gonadal RNA from this patient contained normal sized mRNAs for P450scc and also for adrenodoxin reductase, adrenodoxin, sterol carrier protein 2, endozepine, and GRP-78 (the precursor to steroidogenesis activator peptide). These studies show that lipoid CAH is not caused by lesions in the P450scc gene, and suggest that another unidentified factor is required for the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, and is disordered in congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.

Evidence That Hydrogen Peroxide Blocks Hormone- Sensitive Cholesterol Transport into Mitochondria of Rat Luteal Cells*

Abstract: In luteal and granulosa cells, hydrogen peroxide abruptly inhibits activation of adenylate cyclase by receptor-bound gonadotropin and blocks steroidogenesis. In the present studies a post-cAMP site of peroxide action on inhibition of steroidogenesis was investigated. Steroidogenesis, stimulated by dibutyryl or 8-bromo-cAMP, was inhibited by hydrogen peroxide. Yet, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation in cytosol or intact cells was unaffected by peroxide treatment. Hydrogen peroxide also did not inhibit the activity of cholesterol esterase and acyl coenzyme-A:acyltransferase. Progesterone synthesis was maximally increased 5- to 50-fold with 25- and 22-hydroxycholesterol, respectively. Unlike that seen with cAMP analogs and LH, however, progestin synthesis stimulated by these cell- and mitochondria-permeant cholesterol analogs was not inhibited by hydrogen peroxide. Treatment of animals with amino-glutethimide produces a marked accumulation of steroidogenic cholesterol substrate and a large increase in hormone-independent steroidogenesis in subsequently isolated and washed luteal tissue. In this paradigm, hydrogen peroxide did not inhibit elevated basal progesterone synthesis in luteal cells produced by in vivo aminoglutethimide treatment, yet LH-stimulated steroidogenesis was blocked. However, treatment of luteal cells with hydrogen peroxide inhibited pregnenolone synthesis in isolated mitochondria, an effect partially reversed by the addition of luteal cell cytosol. In summary, while peroxide inhibited cAMP-dependent steroidogenesis, it did not appear to inhibit protein kinase activation or mobilization of cholesterol from intracellular esterified stores. Although peroxide inhibited pregnenolone synthesis, it had no effect on steroidogenesis when substrate was made available by either addition of cholesterol analogs or prior treatment with aminoglutethimide in vivo. We conclude, therefore, that hydrogen peroxide inhibits steroidogenesis by blocking intracellular transport of cholesterol to mitochondria or translocation of cholesterol across the outer mitochondrial membrane.

Thyroid hormone as a biological amplifier of differentiated trophoblast function in early pregnancy

Abstract: Direct effects of T3 or T4 on the trophoblast function were investigated in vitro using an organ culture system of human placental tissues. Explants of trophoblastic tissues obtained from normal early and term placentas were cultured with or without graded doses of T3 or T4 for 5 days in a serum-free condition. Addition of T3 (10(-8) mol/l) resulted in the maximum increase in daily secretion of progesterone, estradiol-17 beta as well as hCG alpha, hCG beta, hCG and hPL by cultured early placental tissues. Increases in progesterone and estradiol-17 beta secretion caused by the addition of T3 were further augmented in response to concomitant addition of pregnenolone and testosterone, respectively, suggesting that T3 (10(-8) mol/l) enhances 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aromatase activity in the placenta. These stimulatory effects of T3 (10(-8) mol/l) on the trophoblast endocrine function were also found with the use of T4 (10(-7) mol/l). Addition of higher or lower concentrations of T3 or T4 gave attenuated effects. These results suggest that the optimal concentration of thyroid hormone is needed for it to exert its maximally stimulatory action on trophoblast endocrine function. Unlike early placental tissues, cultured term placental tissues did not respond to the addition of T3 or T4 with increased endocrine activity. Thus, the frequent occurrence of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy during the state of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may represent a direct consequence of inadequate thyroid hormone availability at the level of placental trophoblasts, followed by diminished expression of trophoblast endocrine function.

Hormone-stimulated Steroidogenesis Is Coupled to Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptors

Abstract: The mitochondrial (peripheral-type) benzodiazepine receptor (MBR) is a drug binding site associated with outer mitochondrial membranes which is coupled to intramitochondrial cholesterol transport, the rate-determining step of steroid biosynthesis. To examine the relationship between MBR function and steroid synthesis regulated by polypeptide hormones, the Y-1 adrenocortical and MA-10 Leydig cell lines were used as model systems responsive to adrenocorticotropin and human choriogonadotropin, respectively. Flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine which binds to MBR with high nanomolar affinity, inhibited the steroidogenic activity of these hormones, or the activation by 1 mM dibutyryl CAMP, in both cell lines by 30-60% with an IC60 of 500-1000 nM. Scatchard analysis in both cell lines revealed one class of specific binding sites for [3H] flunitrazepam verified as being MBR by displacement studies with a series of MBR ligands. The potencies of these ligands to compete against the antagonism of hormone-stimulated steroidogenesis by flunitrazepam correlated significantly with their abilities to compete against [3H]flunitrazepam binding to MBR (r = 0.99). An inhibition in pregnenolone formation was also observed in isolated mitochondrial preparations characterized as a reduction of cholesterol transport to inner mitochondrial membranes. These observations provide unequivocal evidence that the antagonistic action of flunitrazepam is mediated through its interaction with MBR demonstrating that these drug recognition sites are coupled to steroid biosynthesis activated by tropic hormones.

Presence of identical mitochondrial proteins in unstimulated constitutive steroid-producing R2C rat Leydig tumor and stimulated nonconstitutive steroid-producing MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

Abstract: The acute regulation of steroidogenesis in steroidogenic tissues requires de nouo protein synthesis. It is believed that these newly synthesized proteins are instrumental in the delivery of the substrate, cholesterol, to the inner mitochondrial membrane where the cholesterol side-chain cleavage complex converts cholesterol to pregnenolone. A number of studies have attempted to characterize the protein(s) synthesized in response to hormone stimulation and, hence, function in the delivery of cholesterol to the cholesterol side-chain cleavage complex. While a number of potential protein candidates have been described, there is at present no unequivocal evidence which indicates that they are involved in steroidogenic regulation. We and others have described proteins that are induced in a variety of steroidogenic tissues in response to hormone stimulation and are localized in the mitochondria of these tissues. In an attempt to determine whether these induced proteins may be involved in steroidogenesis, we comp...

Low Expression of 3β-Hydroxy-5-Ene Steroid Dehydrogenase Gene in Human Fetal Adrenals in Vivo; Adrenocorticotropin and Protein Kinase C-Dependent Regulation in Adrenocortical Cultures

Abstract: Human fetal adrenals are very active in steroid production. They make large amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate which is further converted to estrogens in placenta. Fetal adrenals cannot make cortisol efficiently from cholesterol or pregnenolone, but they can convert progesterone to cortisol. To clarify the molecular basis of the very low activity of 3β-hydroxy-5-ene steroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) in human fetal adrenals we studied the expression of 3βHSD gene in fetal adrenals in vivo and in culture conditions. Human adult adrenals, placenta and a testicular Leydig cell tumor clearly expressed 3βHSD gene when studied by Northern blotting, but fetal adrenals and ovaries had no detectable 3βHSD mRNA by this method. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of cDNA samples derived from different human tissues revealed 3βHSD gene expression in placenta, adult adrenal and adult ovarian granulosa cells after 25 cycles of amplification. Fetal adrenal samples became positive only after additional amplification cyc...

Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) in the hen ovary. II. P450scc messenger RNA, immunoreactive protein, and enzyme activity in developing granulosa cells.

Abstract: Previous studies have indicated that developing avian granulosa cells collected from follicles 2-3 wk prior to ovulation (e.g. 6-8-mm in diameter) are steroidogenically incompetent, apparently due to a lack of functional cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme activity. The present studies were designed to test this hypothesis by determining the absence or presence of P450scc messenger RNA, immunoreactive protein, and enzyme activity in granulosa tissue of developing hen ovarian follicles. Additionally, the interactive roles of FSH, the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system, and the protein kinase C pathway in granulosa cell differentiation were investigated. Granulosa cells collected from developing, 6-8-mm follicles were found to contain extremely low but detectable levels of a single, 2.0-kb P450scc mRNA transcript, as well as immunoreactive P450scc protein (53 kDa). However, this protein was apparently incapable of converting 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone in a cell-free system. Preincubation of granulosa cells with ovine FSH or forskolin for 24 h rendered the cells capable of converting cholesterol precursor to pregnenolone during a subsequent 3-h incubation. Inclusion of the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), in the preincubation medium blocked the stimulatory actions of FSH and forskolin on the induction of P450scc activity; however, PMA-preincubation did not alter the ability of granulosa cells to convert exogenous pregnenolone to progesterone compared to vehicle-pretreated cells. These data suggest that steroidogenic incompetency in differentiating avian granulosa cells is primarily due to a lack of active P450scc enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Epidermal growth factor directly stimulates steroidogenesis in primary cultures of porcine Leydig cells: actions and sites of action.

Abstract: The actions and the mechanisms of action of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in testicular steroidogenesis were investigated using a model of primary culture of purified porcine Leydig cells from immature intact animals EGF decreased (17-fold) human CG (hCG)-induced dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) accumulation in the medium whereas it enhanced (25- fold) that of testosterone The maximal and half-maximal effects on both DHEA and testosterone secretions were observed at similar concentrations which were, respectively, 3 (5 × 10-10 M) and 07 (11 × 10-11 M) ng/ml EGF, after 72-h treatment EGF effect on DHEA and testosterone secretion was similarly observed whether the cells were acutely (3 h) stimulated with hCG (1 ng/ml) or with 8-bromo-cAMP (10-3 M) TO further localize the steroidogenic biochemical steps affected by EGF, the growth factor action on steroidogenic enzyme activities was investigated EGF increased Δ5 steroid intermediate (ie pregnenolone and DHEA) formation [evaluated in the presence of 10

Insulin Mediators Are the Signal Transduction System Responsible for Insulin’s Actions on Human Placental Steroidogenesis*

Abstract: To test the hypothesis that insulin mediators serve as the signal transduction system for insulin’s steroidogenic actions in human placental cytotrophoblasts, we examined the effects of two inositolglycan insulin mediators, the insulin pH 2.0 chiro-inositol mediator (IM-pH 2.0) and the insulin pH 1.3 myo-inositol mediator (IM-pH 1.3), on cytotrophoblastic steroidogenesis. When human cytotrophoblasts were incubated in medium supplemented with androstenedione for 24 h, treatment with IM-pH 2.0 or IM-pH 1.3 suppressed aromatase activity by 15% (P < 0.05) and 49% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared to insulin, which suppressed aromatase activity by 21% (P < 0.05). When cytotrophoblasts were incubated in medium supplemented with pregnenolone for 24 h, treatment with IM-pH 2.0 or IM-pH 1.3 stimulated 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3j8HSD) activity by 145% (P < 0.05) and 168% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared to insulin, which stimulated 3βHSD activity by 63% (P < 0.05). Suppression of aromatase activity and s...

Effect of activin A on dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone secretion by primary immature porcine Leydig cells.

Abstract: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of the homodimer activin A on immature porcine Leydig cell functions in primary culture Activin A (05-100 ng/ml) reduced hCG-stimulated dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) accumulation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with a maximal inhibitory effect (58% decrease) at 20 ng/ml (8 x 10(-10) M) Activin A was found not to control steroidogenesis, either through a modulation of the gonadotropin LH/hCG binding or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol binding and internalization However, activin A significantly decreased pregnenolone (p less than 0002) and DHEA (p less than 0001) formation (evaluated in the presence of 10(-5) M of WIN 24540, an inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase [3 beta-HSDI]activity) in Leydig cells maximally stimulated with hCG (3 ng/ml, 3 h) or incubated in the presence of 22R-hydroxycholesterol (5 micrograms/ml, 2 h) These findings indicate that activin A probably exerts a partial inhibitory effect on cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) activity On the other hand, activin A significantly (p less than 0001) enhanced the conversion of exogenous pregnenolone and DHEA (500 ng/ml) but not of progesterone and androstenedione (500 ng/ml) into testosterone, suggesting that activin A potentially enhances 3 beta-HSDI activity in Leydig cells Activin A action on 3 beta-HSDI activity was found to be closely related to that of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1), since both activin A (20 ng/ml) and TGF beta 1 (2 ng/ml) induced a comparable and non-additive increase in 3 beta-HSDI activity(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) in the hen ovary. I. Regulation of P450scc messenger RNA levels and steroidogenesis in theca cells of developing follicles.

Abstract: We have recently shown that granulosa cells from hen ovarian follicles, collected at a stage of development 2-3 wk prior to ovulation (e.g. 6-8 mm in diameter) are steroidogenically inactive. Therefore, the hypothesis tested in the present studies was that theca cells from follicles at this stage of development must contain sufficient levels of functional cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme to produce the progestin precursor required for the synthesis of androgens and estrogens. Northern blot analysis of total theca RNA collected from 6-8-mm follicles indicated the presence of a single P450scc mRNA transcript of approximately 2 kb whose expression was increased following an 8-h preincubation with 200 ng/ml ovine LH (oLH) or 10 microM forskolin. Western blot analysis of crude mitochondrial protein revealed a band of immunoreactive P450scc protein of approximately 53 kDa that was determined to be capable of converting 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone in a cell-free system. In the second set of studies, conducted to examine the cellular regulation of steroidogenesis in isolated theca cells of 6-8-mm follicles, theca cells were found to produce measurable basal levels of cAMP, progesterone, androstenedione, and estradiol following a 3-h incubation of 5 x 10(5) cells. Furthermore, significant dose-dependent increases in steroidogenesis were observed in response to oLH (0.2-200 ng/ml), chicken FSH (cFSH; 20-200 ng/ml), cholera toxin (0.002-20 ng/ml), and 8-bromo-cAMP (0.1-3.33 mM). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 10-167 nM) also stimulated dose-dependent increases in basal progesterone, androstenedione, and estradiol production. In addition, while PMA had no effect on oLH (200 ng/ml)-promoted cAMP accumulation, or on oLH (20 ng/ml)- or 8-bromo-cAMP (1 mM)-stimulated progesterone production, it attenuated oLH-induced and 8-bromo-cAMP-induced androstenedione and estradiol accumulation. We conclude that theca cells from 6-8-mm follicles possess mRNA and immunoreactive protein coding for functional P450scc. Furthermore, basal steroidogenesis is increased by both the protein kinase A and protein kinase C pathways, whereas evidence suggests that protein kinase C inhibits LH-induced androstenedione production at a site distal to cAMP and progesterone production, most likely by decreasing C17,20-lyase activity.

Serum profiles of steroid hormones in patients with Cushing's syndrome determined by a new HPLC/RIA method.

Abstract: We developed a method for simultaneously measuring steroid hormones in very small volumes of serum, using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). By this method, aldosterone, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, estrone, estradiol, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, deoxycorticosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, pregnenolone, and progesterone could be determined in a single 100-microL aliquot of serum from normal adults and patients with Cushing's syndrome. The steroid profile associated with Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal adenoma was quite distinct from that associated with the syndrome caused by adrenal hyperplasia. Serum concentrations of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, estrone, estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone, and testosterone were significantly higher in patients with adrenal hyperplasia than in those with an adenoma. We compared the results of this HPLC/RIA method with those of 125I RIAs. The use of a HPLC/RIA system to obtain an accurate and sensitive profile of a range of serum steroids, as described here, obviates the need for large volumes of blood.

Distribution of glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in human ovary.

Abstract: Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are drug-metabolizing and detoxification enzymes involved in the intracellular transport and metabolism of steroid hormones. We studied expression of pi, alpha, mu and microsomal GST by immunohistochemistry in normal human ovaries at different stages of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and after the menopause. Antibodies were raised in rabbits to purified GST subunits and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were studied using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Staining density was graded from very strong to negative. All four isoenzymes were identified in the ovary and their distribution was heterogeneous. The staining pattern of follicles varied with the stage of the menstrual cycle for each isoenzyme. All the ovaries contained abundant GST pi in stroma. GST alpha is closely associated with the glutathione-dependent enzyme delta-5,3-ketosteroid isomerase, which catalyses the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone to androstenedione. GST alpha was localized to the steroid-producing cells and thus may be useful in studying ovaries in conditions where there are assumed alterations in steroid production.

Expression and regulation of adrenodoxin and P450scc mRNA in rodent tissues.

Abstract: The rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis is the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone This reaction occurs in steroidogenic tissue in the inner mitochondrial membrane, and is mediate