Leydig cells from neonatal pig testis abundantly express 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) type 2 and effectively inactivate cortisol to cortisone.

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) isozymes, designated types 1 and 2, catalyze the interconversion of physiologically active glucocorticoids and inactive 11-keto forms. The presence of types 1 and 2 was determined in neonatal pig testis and Leydig cells purified from testes by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Type 2 mRNA was expressed at a high level in neonatal pig testis. In particular, in the entire testis, a higher level of type 2 was expressed compared to type 1. Furthermore, these expression levels in the testis were compared with the expression levels of the respective isozymes in pig liver and kidney, which are known to have high levels. Next, the direction of glucocorticoid metabolism in intact Leydig cells was examined, and only oxidation from cortisol to cortisone was detected. Virtually no reduction of cortisone to cortisol was detected. Using a microsomal enzyme preparation from Leydig cells, type 2 exhibited potent oxidation activity, and the activity was higher than the oxidation activity catalyzed by the type 1 isozyme. In kinetic analysis, the K(m) and V(max) for type 1 were 1.36 microM and 0.91 nmol/(h mg), respectively, and 0.38 microM and 1.25 nmol/(h mg), respectively, for type 2. The results of the present study using neonatal pig testis suggest that not only 11beta-HSD type 1 but also type 2, which is abundantly expressed, plays important roles in cortisol inactivation in pig Leydig cells, and furthermore, that excess cortisol will cause glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of testosterone production in even neonatal pig Leydig cells.

Aromatase expression in a human osteoblastic cell line increases in response to prostaglandin E(2) in a dexamethasone-dependent fashion.

Recent progress supports the importance of local estrogen secretion in human bone tissue to increase and maintain bone-mineral density. In a previous report, we found that forskolin (FSK) synergistically induces aromatase (CYP19: a rate-limiting enzyme for estrogen synthesis) expression in dexamethasone (Dex) dependent manner in a human osteoblastic cell line, SV-HFO [Watanabe M, Ohno S, Nakajin S. Forskolin and dexamethasone synergistically induce aromatase (CYP19) expression in the human osteoblastic cell line SV-HFO. Eur J Endocrinol 2005;152:619-24]. In this report, we investigated whether prostaglandin (PG) E(2) induces estrogen production, in other words, if PGE(2) exerts the same effect as FSK because PGE(2) is the major prostanoid in the bone and is one of the key molecules in the osteoblast. We found PGE(2) up-regulates aromatase activity synergistically, but this up-regulation depends on Dex. CYP19 gene expression was also increased synergistically by Dex and PGE(2). Promoter I.4 was activated synergistically by PGE(2) and Dex. PGE(2) receptor, EP(1), EP(2) and EP(4) were involved in the up-regulation of aromatase activity in response to PGE(2) in a Dex-dependent manner. The cAMP-PKA pathway and Ca(2+) signaling pathway were involved in the up-regulation of aromatase activity in response to PGE(2). Furthermore, glucocorticoid response element on promoter I.4 sequence was an essential minimum requirement for its activity and synergism of PGE(2) and Dex. These findings are the first report on osteoblastic cell line which uses predominantly promoter I.4 to drive aromatase expression. These findings also suggest that endogenous PGE(2) produced in bone mainly may synergistically support local estrogen production in osteoblastic cells in the presence of glucocorticoid.

Circulating levels of isoflavones and markers of 5alpha-reductase activity are higher in Japanese compared with New Zealand males: what is the role of circulating steroids in prostate disease?

Epidemiological evidence implicates dietary isoflavone intake as protective against prostate disease. A putative mechanism is attenuated circulating androgen levels in male populations consuming an isoflavone rich diet. We investigated this hypothesis by collecting plasma from 60 Japanese and 60 New Zealand males aged between 21 and 31 years each consuming their traditional diets. We measured plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), the combined levels of androsterone sulfate and epiandrosterone sulfate (AoS/epiAoS), sex hormone-binding globulin, and cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin as well as the isoflavones genistein and equol. Plasma genistein and equol levels were several times higher in Japanese males as would be expected from an isoflavone rich diet. However, androstenedione, DHEAS, calculated free testosterone and paradoxically markers of 5alpha-reductase, DHT and AoS/epiAoS were all also significantly higher in Japanese rather than the New Zealand male counterparts. All other comparisons were not significant. Plasma DHT and DHEAS correlated positively with plasma equol and plasma AoS/epiAoS correlated positively with genistein levels. Taken together the results suggest that, rather than reduced levels of steroidogenesis, Japanese males may have increased 5alpha-reductase activity and possibly altered 17beta OH steroid dehydrogenase activity. Significantly the positive association between isoflavones levels and 5alpha-steroids is counter-intuitive to isoflavone intake offering prostate protection, unless this is postulated to occur through other mechanisms.

Aromatase expression in the human fetal osteoblastic cell line SV-HFO.

A number of clinical studies have highlighted the importance of estrogen in bone growth and maintenance in men and postmenopausal women. In these instances, estrogen is synthesized locally within bone tissue by aromatase, encoded by the CYP19 gene. The mechanisms regulating aromatase expression in bone, however, are unclear. In this work we characterized the expression of aromatase activity and gene transcripts in the human fetal osteoblastic cell line, SV-HFO. Aromatase activity and gene transcript expression were stimulated by dexamethasone. Oncostatin M strongly stimulated aromatase expression in synergy with dexamethasone. These factors induced CYP19 transcripts that included the sequence of exon I.4 in their 5'UTR. Consistent with this, a reporter construct harboring the genomic sequence of the promoter region of exon I.4 (promoter I.4) was also activated by dexamethasone and oncostatin M. 5' deletion and mutation analysis revealed important roles for a glucocorticoid response element, an interferon gamma activating sequence and a putative binding site for Sp1. Transfection of exogenous glucocorticoid receptor, STAT3 or Sp1 increased promoter activity, indicating a potential role for these transcription factors in regulating aromatase expression in SV-HFO cells. These data suggest that the SV-HFO cell line is a valuable model with which to elucidate the mechanisms regulating local estrogen synthesis in osteoblasts.

Forskolin up-regulates aromatase (CYP19) activity and gene transcripts in the human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line H295R.

A number of conditions related to sex-reversal in boys and men and precocious puberty in girls are caused by estrogen-secreting adrenal tumors. In these tumors, cytochrome P450 aromatase (aromatase) that is encoded in the CYP19 gene is expressed at high levels. To investigate the molecular mechanism of aromatase expression in these adrenal tumors, we characterized the activity, gene transcript and genomic promoter region of aromatase in the human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line H295R. Aromatase activity and the transcript of the CYP19 gene were highly up-regulated by forskolin, but not by dexamethasone. The results from exon I-specific reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and the transfection of reporter constructs suggested that promoter I.3 and promoter II were activated in H295R. Deletion and mutation analysis suggested that cAMP response element-like sequence (CLS) and steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) motif, were critical for the activation of promoter II. The results of this work should provide the basis for the molecular analysis of aromatase expression in adrenocortical cells.

Porcine carbonyl reductase. structural basis for a functional monomer in short chain dehydrogenases/reductases.

Porcine testicular carbonyl reductase (PTCR) belongs to the short chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) superfamily and catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of ketones on steroids and prostaglandins. The enzyme shares nearly 85% sequence identity with the NADPH-dependent human 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase/carbonyl reductase. The tertiary structure of the enzyme at 2.3 A reveals a fold characteristic of the SDR superfamily that uses a Tyr-Lys-Ser triad as catalytic residues, but exhibits neither the functional homotetramer nor the homodimer that distinguish all SDRs. It is the first known monomeric structure in the SDR superfamily. In PTCR, which is also active as a monomer, a 41-residue insertion immediately before the catalytic Tyr describes an all-helix subdomain that packs against interfacial helices, eliminating the four-helix bundle interface conserved in the superfamily. An additional anti-parallel strand in the PTCR structure also blocks the other strand-mediated interface. These novel structural features provide the basis for the scaffolding of one catalytic site within a single molecule of the enzyme.

Deletion of 12 carboxyl-terminal residues from pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase affects steroid metabolism.

Pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD) is 80-85% identical to human, rat, and mouse carbonyl reductases. However, pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD contains an extra 12 amino acids at its COOH-terminus that these other mammalian carbonyl reductases lack. We constructed a pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD mutant, G278opal, which lacks these amino acids and found that compared to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD, G278opal has a 10-fold lower catalytic efficiency for testosterone and progesterone. G278opal also has lower 3alpha- and 20beta-reductase and increased 3beta-reductase activity compared to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD. Binding of NADPH to G278opal was similar to that of wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD. The recently determined three-dimensional structure of 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD, without a steroid substrate, shows the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids in a random configuration. Our data indicate that the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids have a role in steroid metabolism suggesting that binding of steroid to wild-type 3alpha/beta,20beta-HSD induces a conformational change in which the 12 COOH-terminal amino acids interact with the steroid substrate.

Effect of phthalate esters and alkylphenols on steroidogenesis in human adrenocortical H295R cells.

We investigated the inhibitory effects of phthalate esters and alkylphenols on steroidogenesis by human adrenocortical H259R cells, a model of human steroidogenic cells. Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) at a concentration of 30 µM produced a significant decrease in the dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated cortisol secretion (76% reduction). 4-t-Pentylphenol (4-t-PP), 4-t-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) also produced significant decreases in the dibutyryl cAMP-stimulated cortisol secretion by 58, 34 and 40%, respectively at 50 µM. Reductions in cortisol secretion by these chemicals were dose-dependent. To elucidate the inhibitory effects of DCHP, 4-t-PP, 4-t-OP and 4-NP on cortisol secretion from H295R cells, the effects of these chemicals on various steroidogenic enzymes, such as C(20,22)-lyase (CYP11A), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (3ß-HSDII), 17α-hyroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (CYP17), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21B) and 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), were investigated. DCHP significantly inhibited CYP21B activity at 25 µM. 4-t-OP strongly inhibited CYP11A activity at 12.5 and 25 µM, and inhibited CYP17 and CYP21B at 25 µM. Similarly, 4-NP inhibited CYP11A at 25 µM and strongly inhibited CYP17 and CYP21B at 12.5 and 25 µM. Neither DCHP nor any of the alkylphenols tested altered 3ß-HSDII activity.

Mutation of threonine-241 to proline eliminates autocatalytic modification of human carbonyl reductase.

Carbonyl reductase catalyses the reduction of steroids, prostaglandins and a variety of xenobiotics. An unusual property of human and rat carbonyl reductases is that they undergo modification at lysine-239 by an autocatalytic process involving 2-oxocarboxylic acids, such as pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate. Comparison of human carbonyl reductase with the pig enzyme, which does not undergo autocatalytic modification, identified three sites, alanine-236, threonine-241 and glutamic acid-246, on human carbonyl reductase that could be important in the reaction of lysine-239 with 2-oxocarboxylic acids. Mutagenesis experiments show that replacement of threonine-241 with proline (T241P) in human carbonyl reductase eliminates the formation of carboxyethyl-lysine-239. In contrast, the T241A mutant has autocatalytic activity similar to wild-type carbonyl reductase. The T241P mutant retains catalytic activity towards menadione, although with one-fifth the catalytic efficiency of wild-type carbonyl reductase. Replacement of threonine-241 with proline is likely to disrupt the local structure near lysine-239. We propose that integrity of this local environment is essential for chemical modification of lysine-239, but not absolutely required for carbonyl reductase activity.

Mutation of tyrosine-194 and lysine-198 in the catalytic site of pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is an NADPH-dependent enzyme that catalyses the reduction of ketones on steroids and aldehydes and ketones on various xenobiotics, like its homologue carbonyl reductase. 3alpha/beta,20beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and carbonyl reductase are members of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductase family, in which a tyrosine residue and a lysine residue have been identified as catalytically important. In pig 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase these residues are tyrosine-194 and lysine-198. Here we report the effect on the reduction of two ketone and two aldehyde substrates by pig 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in which tyrosine-194 has been mutated to phenylalanine and cysteine, and lysine-198 has been mutated to isoleucine and arginine. Mutants with phenylalanine-194 or isoleucine-198 are inactive. Depending on the substrate, the mutant with cysteine-194 has a catalytic efficiency of 0.4-1% and the mutant with arginine-198 has a catalytic efficiency of 4-23% of the wild-type enzyme. We also mutated tyrosine-81 and tyrosine-253 to phenylalanine. Although both tyrosines are conserved in 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and carbonyl reductase, depending on the substrate, the mutant enzymes are as active as, or more active than, wild-type enzyme.

An NADPH-dependent reductase in neonatal pig testes that metabolizes androgens and xenobiotics.

We have isolated an NADPH-dependent reductase from neonatal pig testes that metabolizes androgens and a variety of xenobiotics. This enzyme is distinct from 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase or its homologue, carbonyl reductase, as judged by its immunological and molecular properties and its much narrower specificity for steroids. This reductase and 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase may be part of a mechanism for regulating androgen levels the neonatal pig testes. Interestingly, we could not find multiple isoforms of 3alpha/beta,20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/carbonyl reductase in pig testes unlike human and rat testes and other organs in which multiple isoforms are expressed.

Carbonyl reductase activity exhibited by pig testicular 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

The carbonyl reductase activity exhibited by pig testicular 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 beta-HSD) was examined using a recombinant enzyme. Kinetic parameters were obtained for 48 carbonyl group-containing substrates, including aromatic aldehydes, aromatic ketones, cycloketones, quinones, aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic ketones. 20 beta-HSD showed a high affinity towards quinones, such as 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, alpha-naphthoquinone and menadione (Km values of 4, 2 and 5 microM, respectively), and the substrate utilization efficiency (Vmax/Km) of the enzyme against these quinones was very high. Cyclohexanone and 2-methylcyclohexanone were also reduced with a high Vmax/Km value, but not cyclopentanone or 2-methylcyclopentanone. Various aromatic aldehydes and ketones including benzaldehyde- and acetophenone-derivatives were reduced by 20 beta-HSD. Especially, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and 4-nitroacetophenone were reduced with high Vmax/Km values in the related compounds. The enzyme also reduced the pyridine-derivatives, 2-, 3-, and 4-benzoylpyridine, with the Vmax/Km value for 2-benzoylpyridine being the highest. 20 beta-HSD reduced aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic ketones, but was more effective on the former. The correlation between the structure of carbonyl compounds and their substrate Vmax/Km is discussed.

Immunochemical distribution and immunohistochemical localization of 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in neonatal pig tissues.

Immunochemical distribution of 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) in neonatal pig tissues was investigated by Western blot analysis of the proteins reacting with anti-20beta-HSD antibody. 20beta-HSD was present in all organs investigated: brain, lung, thymus, submandibular gland, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, adrenal gland, testis, epididymis, prostate, vas deferens and seminal vesicle. In particular, high concentrations of 20beta-HSD were detected in the testis, followed by the kidney and liver, by the [125I]-protein A binding method. Immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme was achieved in paraffin sections of the testis, kidney, liver, epididymis, and vas deferens by the streptoavidin-biotin complex method. In the testis, very strong immunostaining was found only in interstitial Leydig cells, whereas the cells in seminiferous tubules, such as Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells, were entirely negative. In the kidney, strong immunostaining was detected in epithelial cells of Henle's loop. The immunoreactive proteins were also localized in the hepatic lobules of the liver, tall columnar cells of the ductus epididymidis of the epididymis, and mucosal epithelium cells and muscularis of the vas deferens. These observations indicate that tissue distribution of 20beta-HSD is similar to that of carbonyl reductase in the human and rat. However, the specific and abundant expression of 20beta-HSD in testicular Leydig cells of the neonatal pig, which are concerned with the synthesis of androgens, suggests that 20beta-HSD has a very important physiological role in testicular function during the neonatal stage.

Antioxidative effect of sesamol and related compounds on lipid peroxidation.

The effect of sesamol and 20 related compounds on the lipid peroxidation of liposomes induced by Fe(2)+, on the lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes induced by CCl(4) or NADPH and on the lipid peroxidation of mitochondria induced by ascorbate/Fe(2)+ were demonstrated. Consequently, sesamol and related compounds, such as 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyquinone, isosafrol, isoeugenol, eugenol, 3,4-methylenedioxyaniline, catechol, hydroxy-hydroquinone, 3,4-dimethoxyaniline and caffeic acid, exhibited powerful inhibitory effects on the lipid peroxidation system investigated. In particular, isoeugenol was the most powerful inhibitor among all the sesamol-related compounds tested on the lipid peroxidation system. In addition, 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene, ferulic acid, and 3,4-methylenedioxynitrobenzene were also effective on the lipid peroxidation system of liposomes induced by Fe(2)+. The correlation between the structures of sesamol-related compounds and their inhibitory effect is discussed.

Direct expression of pig testicular 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in Escherichia coli.

The cDNA coding for pig testicular 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was expressed in Escherichia coli by placing it under the control of an isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG) inducible tac promoter. Production of 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-HSD was demonstrated by Western blotting and by catalytic activity with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone as a substrate for 3 alpha/beta-HSD, and progesterone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone as substrates for 20 beta-HSD in the presence of NADPH. The 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-HSD enzyme was detected in a soluble fraction of the lysate of E. coli added to IPTG to induce the synthesis of the protein. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 30.5 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Recombinant 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-HSD was purified to apparent homogeneity as determined by SDS-PAGE by column chromatography using DEAE-cellulose. The purified enzyme reduced not only steroids but also prostaglandins and other carbonyl compounds including aldehydes, ketones and quinones as demonstrated in native enzymes purified from pig testes. The amino terminus of the purified enzyme was serine which was coded next to the ATG start codon, and the sequence of the amino terminal 24 residues was identical with the coding amino acid in the cDNA; whereas, the amino terminus of the native 3 alpha/beta (20 beta)-HSD was not detected suggesting that the N-terminal amino acid was blocked.

[Direct expression of the pig testicular 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase cDNA using baculovirus expression system].

The direct expression of the pig testicular 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) cDNA using a baculovirus expression system was investigated. A minimum essential cDNA containing the coding region of 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)-HSD was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to extend the DNA linker including the Bam HI restriction site in the both ends of the cDNA. As the template, 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)-HSD cDNA, pBS 52, which was subcloned to Bluescript II was used. The PCR fragment was ligated to Bam HI-cut transfer plasmid (pBlueBac III). Recombinant transfer plasmid (pBlueBac-20 beta) constructed was cotransfected into Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-9 cells with the baculovirus. After transfection, the recombinant virus was detected by the plaque assay with color selection. The expression of 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)-HSD cDNA was detected by Western blotting and enzyme assay. The expressed protein showed the same molecular weight and immunochemical cross-reaction to the native enzyme. Furthermore, it had 3-keto reductase activity of 3 alpha/beta(20 beta)-HSD for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 20-keto reductase activity for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the presence of NADPH.

Purification and characterization of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from mature pig testicular cytosol.

NADPH-dependent 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) was purified to apparent homogeneity from mature pig testicular cytosol. The purified enzyme catalyzed the conversion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) to 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol. The molecular weight was estimated to be 31 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 28 kDa by gel filtration chromatography, indicating that the native 3 beta-HSD is a monomer. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was 5.8 as determined by chromatofocusing. The purified enzyme reduced not only 5 alpha-DHT but also 5 beta-DHT, 5 alpha(or 5 beta)-androstanedione, 5 alpha(or 5 beta)-dihydroprogesterone, prostaglandin E1, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha, glyceladehyde, xylose and glucuronic acid. Moreover, the enzyme reduced other carbonyl compounds including aromatic aldehydes, aromatic ketones and quinones such as 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-benzoylpyridine, phenylglyoxal, cyclohexanone and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone at high rates when compared with steroids, prostaglandins and sugars. The purified enzyme was inhibited by AgNO3, SH-reagent, disulfiram, hexesterol, stilbestrol, disulfiram and divalent cations such as Cu2+, Hg2+, Cd2+ and Co2+. Furthermore, the enzymatic properties of the purified enzyme, including catalytic activity, inhibitory effects by various agents and immunological properties, were compared with those of 3 alpha/beta-HSD enzymes from pig testicular cytosol.

Purification and characterization of 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from mature porcine testicular cytosol.

NADPH-dependent 3 alpha/beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha/beta-HSD) was purified to apparent homogeneity from testicular cytosol of mature pigs. The purified enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) to both 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 31 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 40 kDa by gel filtration chromatography indicating that the native 3 alpha/beta-HSD is a monomer. The isoelectric point of the purified enzyme was found to be 6.2 by density gradient isoelectric focusing and 6.4 by chromatofocusing. The enzyme reduced both 5 alpha- and 5 beta-DHT, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydroprogesterone, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydrocortisol, prostaglandin E2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha. Moreover, the enzyme caused rapid reduction of other carbonyl compounds including aldehydes, ketones and quinones. The rates of reduction of these compounds are fast relative to the rates of reduction of steroids and prostaglandins. The purified enzyme was inhibited by AgNO3, SH-reagent, quercetin, hexesterol, stilbestrol, disulfiram and divalent cation such as Cu2+, Hg2+ and Cd2+. The two enzymes show certain similarities (e.g. molecular weight, cross-reactivity to a common antibody) and certain striking differences (e.g. pI, effects of various inhibitors and greater enzyme activity towards steroids (neonatal form) or prostaglandins (mature form). Reasons are give for suggesting that these enzymes are closely related to carbonyl reductase.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a mammalian steroid dehydrogenase.

20 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from the cytosolic fraction of neonatal pig testis is a NADPH-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of the C-20 ketone of C21-steroids. It is 85% homologous in amino acid sequence to the human enzyme, carbonyl reductase. The enzyme has been crystallized from 36% saturated ammonium sulfate in 10 mM 2-[N-Morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid buffer. The size and the quality of nicely formed square bi-pyramidal crystals were improved by using a "seeding" technique. The crystals diffract X-rays to at least 2.5 A resolution. The space group is P4(1)2(1)2 (or P4(3)2(1)2) and the unit-cell dimensions are a = b = 58.53 A, c = 165.64 A. There is one molecule (M(r) = 30.5 kDa; 289 amino acid residues) in the asymmetric unit. An intensity data set to 2.5 A has been collected with an overall Rmerge of 6.6% for all reflections.

[Purification of pig adrenal 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase and influence on microsomal membrane destruction on its enzyme activity].

A 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 4-delta 5-isomerase (3 beta-HSD/isomerase) has been purified to homogeneity from the pig adrenal microsomes by solubilization with sodium cholate, followed by some conventional column chromatographies. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 42000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Km value for pregnenolone as the substrate of the purified enzyme was higher than that of the microsomal enzyme. The purified enzyme was less stable for heat treatment than the microsomal binding enzyme. The microsomal enzyme was treated with various agents or enzymes which destroyed the membrane structure. Lipid peroxidation with Fe2+, digestion with phospholipase A2 or C, and the addition of various free fatty acids, imidazole containing compounds and polymyxin B were utilized for the membrane destruction. Consequently, the 3 beta-HSD/isomerase activity was significantly reduced in all cases, and the Km value of the 3 beta-HSD/isomerase for pregnenolone increased. And the Vmax and Vmax/Km values significantly decreased. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that the normal membrane structure plays an important role in the maintenance of the 3 beta-HSD/isomerase activity.