A method involving the use of isolated cholesterol ester-storage granules as substrate is described for the assay of cholesterol esterase in rabbit ovarian tissues. Activities of cholesterol esterase 100-200-fold higher than those previously reported in ovarian tissues were measured by using this method. In addition to that of cholesterol esterase, activities of cholesterol ester synthetase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme and 3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase were determined in rabbit ovarian interstitial tissue and corpora lutea. Activities of these enzymes are in general compatible with the flows through them measured under a variety of conditions both in vivo and in vitro. It is concluded that, in the rabbit ovarian tissues investigated, these enzymes are capable of catalysing the conversions usually attributed to them.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed1973

Control of ovarian cholesterol ester biosynthesis.

1. Experimental evidence is presented for a role of progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one as inhibitors of cholesterol ester synthetase in the acute depletion of ovarian cholesterol ester after trophic stimulation. 2. Luteinizing hormone in vitro decreased by 84% the rate of esterification of cholesterol with added [(14)C]oleate by slices of rabbit ovarian interstitial tissue; this effect was mimicked by cyclic AMP (adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate) in vitro, and occurred without large changes in precursor pool sizes or membrane permeability. 3. Cyclic AMP was shown to have no direct effect on cholesterol ester synthetase or cholesterol esterase in cell-free extracts of rabbit ovarian interstitial tissue, but decreased the activity of cholesterol ester synthetase (not that of cholesterol esterase) in extracts prepared from slices previously incubated with it. 4. The inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP on esterification of cholesterol with added [(14)C]-oleate was prevented by both cycloheximide and aminoglutethimide phosphate (which also inhibited steroid synthesis in response to cyclic AMP). 5. Cyclic AMP raised the intracellular concentrations of progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one in incubated slices by factors of 2.8 and 3.9 respectively. 6. Cycloheximide and aminoglutethimide phosphate administered in vivo blocked cholesterol ester depletion in response to luteinizing hormone in rats; in these ovaries cycloheximide and aminoglutethimide phosphate decreased the concentrations of progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and luteinizing hormone raised them. 7. Progesterone and 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one added to cell-free extracts of rabbit ovarian interstitial tissue in vitro (at concentrations comparable with those found in incubated slices) inhibited cholesterol ester synthetase by up to 85%. 8. The results are discussed with reference to the acute control of cholesterol ester concentrations in the ovary and adrenal cortex.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1973

Isolation and properties of cholesterol esterstorage granules from ovarian tissues.

Cholesterol ester-storage granules were isolated from luteinized rat ovary and rabbit ovarian interstitial tissue by centrifugal flotation and were investigated with regard to their structure and function. Cholesterol ester, protein, phospholipid and unesterified cholesterol accounted for the dry weight of granules from luteinized rat ovary. The protein and the phospholipid were resistant to removal by washing. Substrate specificities of nucleotide phosphatase and specific radioactivities of lipid-soluble P (determined after administration of [(32)P]P(i)in vivo) were the same in granules and in a microsomal fraction from the same tissue. After administration of [(32)P]P(i)in vivo, luteinizing hormone increased the specific radioactivity of lipid-soluble P in granules, mitochondria and the microsomal fraction. Since granules did not swell in hypo-osmotic media, whereas microsomal particles did, it is suggested that adherent phospholipid and protein in granule suspensions is unlikely to result from contamination with endoplasmic reticulum. Luteinizing hormone administered in vivo increased the phospholipid and unesterified cholesterol contents of isolated granules relative to their cholesterol ester content, and also tended to raise their protein content. This treatment decreased the ability of isolated granules to act as a substrate for cholesterol esterase in vitro and increased the activity of cholesterol esterase. Cycloheximide in vivo also raised the unesterified cholesterol/cholesterol ester ratio of isolated granules, and when administered with luteinizing hormone acted synergistically to bring about a further increase. These results are considered compatible with evidence obtained by microscopy which suggests that granules may be surrounded by a membrane, that they arise by pinching off from the endoplasmic reticulum, and that they shrink on trophic stimulation of the tissue.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1973