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11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in cultured human vascular cells. Possible role in the development of hypertension.

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11beta-HSD) interconvert cortisol, the physiological glucocorticoid, and its inactive metabolite cortisone in humans. The diminished dehydrogenase activity (cortisol to cortisone) has been demonstrated in patients with essential hypertension and in resistance vessels of genetically hypertensive rats. 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) catalyzes only 11beta-dehydrogenation. However, a functional relationship between diminished vascular 11beta-HSD2 activity and elevated blood pressure has been unclear. In this study we showed the expression and enzyme activity of 11beta-HSD2 and 11beta-HSD type 1 (which is mainly oxoreductase, converting cortisone to cortisol) in human vascular smooth muscle cells. Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids increase vascular tone by upregulating the receptors of pressor hormones such as angiotensin II. We found that physiological concentrations of cortisol-induced increase in angiotensin II binding were significantly enhanced by the inhibition of 11beta-HSD2 activity with an antisense DNA complementary to 11beta-HSD2 mRNA, and the enhancement was partially but significantly abolished by a selective aldosterone receptor antagonist. This may indicate that impaired 11beta-HSD2 activity in vascular wall results in increased vascular tone by the contribution of cortisol, which acts as a mineralocorticoid. In congenital 11beta-HSD deficiency and after administration of 11beta-HSD inhibitors, suppression of 11beta-HSD2 activity in the kidney has been believed to cause renal mineralocorticoid excess, resulting in sodium retention and hypertension. In the present study we provide evidence for a mechanism that could link impaired vascular 11beta-HSD2 activity, increased vascular tone, and elevated blood pressure without invoking renal sodium retention.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Differential estrogen substrate specificities for transiently expressed human placental 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and an endogenous enzyme expressed in cultured COS-m6 cells.

The metabolism of estrogens catalyzed by human placental 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) transiently expressed in COS-m6 cells was studied, and the properties of the enzyme were compared with those of an endogenous hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) expressed in the cells. In cultured cells, the endogenous HSD had almost exclusively oxidative activity, converting estradiol to estrone (oxidative and reductive activity, 0.84 +/- 0.164 and 0.034 +/- 0.01 nmol/mg protein.h, respectively). This was, nevertheless, opposed to the activity of the transiently expressed human placental 17HSD, as a high reductive activity (0.86 +/- 0.30 nmol/mg protein.h) appeared in the cells after transfection, whereas oxidative activity was not significantly induced. In the different transfections, the reductive activity was induced 13- to 34-fold, and the oxidative activity in the 17HSD-transfected cells was 65-162% of that in the mock-transfected cells. Thus, in cultured cells, these two enzymes preferentially catalyze opposite reactions. When the metabolism of the estrogens was followed up to 20 h, the two enzymes were found to regulate the proportion of estrone to estradiol in the culture medium. The different properties found for the enzymes show that the endogenous HSD expressed in the COS-m6 cells is an additional member of the family of 17HSD enzymes. It is suggested that different 17HSD enzymes exist, with differential estrogen substrate specificities in cultured cells. Thus, in addition to cofactor and substrate availability, the biological activity of estrogens in different cell types may be regulated by the expression of different forms of 17HSD enzymes, resulting in the dominance of either estradiol or estrone production.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Identification of a major prolactin-regulated protein as 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: coordinate regulation of its activity, protein content, and messenger ribonucleic acid expression.

We have previously reported that an abundant 37,000 mol wt protein with a pI of 6.15 (37K) is expressed specifically in the corpus luteum and is markedly inhibited by PRL. To identify the 37K, amino acid sequence analysis of the protein was performed. The 37K protein showed sequence similarity with rabbit 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha HSD), chlordecone reductase, prostaglandin synthase, and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which are members of the aldo-keto reductase group of enzymes that catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of carbonyl compounds. Comparison of 20 alpha HSD activity with the level of 37K in the corpus luteum throughout pregnancy demonstrated a close correlation between enzyme activity and luteal levels of the protein. Both protein and enzyme activity were low early in pregnancy, reached a nadir between days 5-19, and reappeared abruptly between days 19-21 of pregnancy. To establish that the enzyme activity is intrinsic to the 37K, the protein was purified from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels (SDS-PAGE), renatured, and assayed for 20 alpha HSD activity. The renatured protein exhibited substantial 20 alpha HSD activity. As 20 alpha HSD is known to play a major role in the termination of pregnancy in the rat, it was of interest to examine whether the rapid appearance of the 37 K protein at the end of pregnancy is accompanied by the induction of 20 alpha HSD gene expression. Northern blot analysis using a rabbit cDNA for 20 alpha HSD indicated that the pattern of 20 alpha HSD mRNA expression in the corpus luteum closely paralleled the ontogeny of 20 alpha HSD enzyme activity as well as 37K protein levels. Our studies demonstrated that 20 alpha HSD protein and mRNA levels are coordinately regulated, and that the profound inhibitory effect of PRL on 20 alpha HSD activity is apparently due to inhibition of 20 alpha HSD gene expression, leading to the disappearance of the protein from the corpus luteum.

20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase accounts for low prednisolone/prednisone ratios in the kidney.

The purpose of the present investigation was to establish whether the ratio of the biologically active prednisolone to its inactive metabolite prednisone is determined by the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD). The concentration ratios of prednisolone/prednisone assessed by HPLC 60 min after ip administration of prednisolone to rats were 0.8 in kidney, 5.5 in lung, 5.7 in spleen, 6.3 in heart, 7.1 in plasma, and 43 in liver. When prednisolone was injected together with glycyrrhetinic acid, an inhibitor of the 11 beta-OHSD, the ratios of prednisolone/prednisone in plasma and all tissues increased more than 10-fold. The plasma concentrations of glycyrrhetinic acid required to exhibit apparent half-maximal inhibitory effect of the 11 beta-OHSD were more than 7-fold higher for renal than for all other tissues. Thus, the 11 beta-OHSD accounts for low prednisolone/prednisone concentration ratios in renal tissue and, therefore, has to be considered a relevant determinant for the local intrarenal immunosuppressive effect of 11 beta-hydroxysteroids such as prednisolone.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Furosemide inhibits 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in vitro and in vivo.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD) protects the non-selective renal mineralocorticoid receptor from the endogeneous glucocorticoid cortisol. Thus, drugs inhibiting 11 beta-OHSD might enhance urinary loss of potassium. In an attempt to find drugs inhibiting 11 beta-OHSD, 23 commonly used agents known to interfere with the potassium metabolism have been screened for inhibitory effect on 11 beta-OHSD. Furosemide appeared as the only inhibitor. Its inhibition constant (Ki) was 19.5 microM when kidney and 21.3 microM when liver microsomes were used as a source of 11 beta-OHSD. The type of inhibition was competitive. For confirmation that furosemide specifically inhibits 11 beta-OHSD, the complementary DNA (cDNA) of 11 beta-OHSD was transfected into COS-1 cells devoid of spontaneous expression of 11 beta-OHSD. In these cells, oxidation of corticosterone (Ki = 17.4 microM) and reduction of dehydrocorticosterone (Ki = 12.5 microM) was inhibited by furosemide. To establish whether this inhibition also occurs in vivo, the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid prednisolone was administered with and without furosemide to rats. The concentration ratio of prednisolone to its 11-ketometabolite prednisone increased in kidney and liver tissue after furosemide administration, indicating inhibition of 11 beta-OHSD. These data suggest that furosemide modulates in vivo the access of 11 beta-OH glucocorticoids to their target organs.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Oxoreductase and dehydrogenase activities of the human and rat 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme (11betaHSD2) metabolizes glucocorticoids into their inactive 11-keto metabolites. Although the type 1 enzyme (11betaHSD1) displays both oxidative and reductive activity, to date 11betaHSD2 has been shown to have dehydrogenase activity only. In this study we compared both dehydrogenase and reductase characteristics of the cloned rat 11betaHSD1 and rat and human 11betaHSD2 for three different 11-hydroxysteroid substrates, cortisol (F), corticosterone (B), and dexamethasone (Dex), and the corresponding 11-keto metabolites, cortisone (E), 11-dehydrocorticosterone (A), and 11-dehydrodexamethasone (DH-Dex), respectively. In cell homogenates expressing either the rat or the human 11betaHSD2, the relative potency for the dehydrogenase reaction was B > F > Dex. Although there was no reduction of A or E, DH-Dex was readily converted to Dex with an equilibrium far on the side of the 11-hydroxy metabolite. DH-Dex reduction in homogenates was inhibited by both glycyrrhetinic acid and carbenoxolone, with a 50% inhibition at 80 and 100 nM, respectively. In intact cells transfected with rat 11betaHSD1, the equilibrium was on the reductase side for all substrates. Dehydrogenation of B or F was more potent with rat 11betaHSD2 than with rat 11betaHSD1. There was no detectable 11betaHSD1 oxidation of Dex. These data indicate that both the cloned human and rat 11betaHSD2 reduce DH-Dex and do this more readily than they oxidize Dex. Thus, 11betaHSD2 seems also to be a bidirectional enzyme, although no reduction of the physiological compounds A and E was observed.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Light and electron microscopy localization of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I enzyme in the rat.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I enzyme (11betaHSD1) converts cortisone to cortisol in humans, and 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone in rodents. In the present study we used a new immunopurified polyclonal antibody, RAH113, to localize 11betaHSD1 at the light and electron microscopy levels in a wide range of rat tissues. 11betaHSD1 staining in the liver was of highest intensity around the central vein and decreased radially. In the lung, 11betaHSD1 was found at highest levels in the interstitial fibroblast, with levels in the type II pneumocyte an order of magnitude lower. RAH113 stained proximal tubules of the renal cortex and interstitial cells of the medulla and papilla. Adrenal 11betaHSD1 was confined to the glomerulosa and medulla, whereas the glucocorticoid-inactivating hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoform 11betaHSD2 was present in fascilulata/reticularis. 11betaHSD1 was found in parietal cells of the fundic region of the stomach, but not in the antrum. In the heart, 11betaHSD1 was detected in cells resembling interstitial fibroblasts of the endocardium and in the adventitial fibroblasts of blood vessels. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of an antigen of the correct size (34 kDa) and intensity consistent with levels of enzyme activity previously reported in these tissues. Brain and testis also displayed the 34-kDa protein, confirming the expression of authentic 11betaHSD1 in these tissues. Electron microscopy of lung and kidney interstitial cells showed that 11betaHSD1 was localized both to the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear membrane. These results show that 11betaHSD1 is present in discrete cell populations where it may facilitate intracrine and paracrine glucocorticoid action in addition to its classical role of maintaining circulating glucocorticoids via activity in the liver.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2↗

Failure of cortisone acetate treatment in congenital adrenal hyperplasia because of defective 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reductase activity.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in children is often treated with cortisone acetate and fludrocortisone. It is known that certain patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia require very high substitution doses of cortisone acetate, and a few patients do not respond to this treatment at all. A patient with 21-hydroxylase deficiency, for whom elevated pregnanetriol (P3) levels in urine were not suppressed during treatment with cortisone acetate (65 mg/m2 x day), was examined. The activation of cortisone to cortisol was assessed by measuring urinary metabolites of cortisone and cortisol. The patient's inability to respond to treatment with cortisone acetate was found to be caused by a low conversion of cortisone to cortisol, assumed to be secondary to low 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (11-oxoreductase deficiency). All exons and exon/intron junctions of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type1 gene (HSD11L) were sequenced without finding any mutations, but a genetic lesion in the promoter or other regulatory regions cannot be ruled out. The deficient 11-oxoreductase activity seems to have been congenital, in this case, but can possibly be attributable to a down-regulation of the enzyme activity. The results support the use of hydrocortisone, rather than cortisone acetate, for substitution therapy in adrenal insufficiency.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Metabolism of dihydrotestosterone in human liver: importance of 3alpha- and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

This study compared the enzyme activity of 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alphaHSD) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) in the human liver. 3AlphaHSD was found in both microsomal and cytosolic liver fractions. Contrary to that in rat liver, microsomal 3alphaHSD activity was 12-fold higher than cytosolic 3alphaHSD activity, and 3alphaHSD was not inhibited by indomethacin (10 micromol/L). The rate of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) reduction to 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (3alphaDIOL) by 3alphaHSD was 2 times higher than the rate of 3alphaDIOL oxidation to DHT. 3BetaHSD was present primarily in the microsomal fraction of the human liver, and the rate of DHT reduction to 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol (3betaDIOL) by 3betaHSD was 3 times higher than the rate of 3betaHSD oxidation to DHT. When 3alphaHSD and 3betaHSD activities were compared, the rate of DHT reduction by 3betaHSD was 3-fold lower than the rate of DHT reduction by 3alphaHSD. No sex or age differences were found in either 3alphaHSD or 3betaHSD activity. As the activity of DHT-metabolizing enzymes is not sex dependent, the sex differences in plasma levels of 3alphaDIOL glucuronide probably reflect differences in DHT production rather than in DHT metabolism. Comparison of the activities of 3alphaHSD, 3betaHSD, and androgen UDP-glucuronyl transferase suggests that the major pathway of DHT metabolism in human liver involves 3alphaHSD reduction in the liver, followed by subsequent glucuronidation and clearance via the kidney.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Reduced placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA levels in human pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction: an analysis of possible mechanisms.

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) inactivates cortisol to cortisone. In the placenta 11beta-HSD2 activity is thought to protect the fetus from the deleterious effects of maternal glucocorticoids. Patients with apparent mineralocorticoid excess owing to mutations in the 11beta-HSD2 gene invariably have reduced birth weight, and we have recently shown reduced placental 11beta-HSD2 activity in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. This is reflected in the literature by evidence of hypercortisolemia in the fetal circulation of small babies. In this study we have determined the levels of placental 11beta-HSD2 mRNA expression across normal gestation (n = 86 placentae) and in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (n = 19) and evaluated the underlying mechanism for any aberrant 11beta-HSD2 mRNA expression in intrauterine growth restriction. 11beta-HSD2 mRNA expression increased more than 50-fold across gestation, peaking at term. Placental 11beta-HSD2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies when compared with gestationally matched, appropriately grown placentae [e.g. at term DeltaCt (11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2/18S) 12.8 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SE) vs. 10.2 +/- 0.2, respectively, P < 0.001]. These differences were not attributable to changes in trophoblast mass in intrauterine growth restriction placentae, as assessed by parallel analyses of cytokeratin-8 mRNA expression. No mutations were found in the 11beta-HSD2 gene in the intrauterine growth restriction cohort, and imprinting analysis revealed that the 11beta-HSD2 gene was not imprinted. Although the underlying cause is unknown, 11beta-HSD2 gene expression is reduced in intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies. These data highlight the important role of 11beta-HSD2 in regulating fetal growth, a known factor in determining fetal morbidity but also the subsequent development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

20 Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of neonatal pig testis: cofactor requirement and stereospecificity of hydrogen transfer from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form.

The cofactor requirement of purified 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from cytosol fraction of neonatal pig testis, in the reduction of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was investigated. The enzyme required beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (beta-NADPH) as the preferred cofactor, with an apparent Km value of 17 microM. Furthermore, alpha-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (alpha-NADPH), beta-3'-NADPH and beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (beta-NADH) were also utilized as hydrogen donors in the reduction at relatively high concentration with apparent Km values of 85.2 microM, 179.2 microM and 1.00 mM, respectively. The optimum pH was 5.5 when beta-NADPH was used as the cofactor, while it was 6.0 when beta-NADH was used. The hydrogen transfer from the beta-NADPH to the product, 17 alpha,20 beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one catalyzed by 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was stereospecific, and the 4-pro-S-hydrogen of the nicotinamide moiety was transferred to the product.

20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Studies on the human epididymis: partial characterization of 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, regional distribution of 5 alpha-reductase and inhibitory effect of 4 delta-3-oxosteroids on 5 alpha-reductase.

When [4-14C]-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone was incubated with the homogenate of human epididymis, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol were identified as major metabolites. The ratio of 3 alpha- to 3 beta-epimer in androstanediol formation was approximately 2.4. 5 alpha-Androstane-3, 17-dione was also identified as a minor metabolite. Among the subcellular fractions, both the human epididymal 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were localized almost exclusively in the cytosol fraction (105,000 X g supernatant). Both enzymes had optimum pH at 7.5 and optimum temperature at 46 degrees C. NADPH was a more preferable cofactor than NADH for both dehydrogenases. The Michaelis constants (Km) of 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone were similar and estimated as 8 X 10(-5) M, but the enzymes were unsaturable with the substrate under the conditions investigated, indicating low affinity and high capacity of both dehydrogenases for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The human epididymal 5 alpha-reductase revealed a regional difference in activity. The 5 alpha-reductase activity in the most proximal part of the head (ductuli efferentes) was one seventh to one tenth the activity in the remaining part of the epididymis which was constructed of ductus epididymis. Except for this finding, the activity of 5 alpha-reductase was highest in the head, then declined along the course to the tail portion. The 5 alpha-reductase for testosterone was competitively inhibited by delta 4-3-oxosteroids such as progesterone, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 4-androstenedione, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol, which had inhibition constants (Ki) of 3.3 X 10(-9) M, 2.2 X 10(-9) M, 1.8 X 10(-8) M, 1.3 X 10(-8) M, 8.3 X 10(-9) M, 1.5 X 10(-7) M and 8.7 X 10(-8) M, respectively, suggesting the possibility that the 5 alpha-reduction of testosterone is regulated by other delta 4-3-oxosteroids.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Purification and characterization of the multiple forms of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat liver cytosol.

The presence of multiple forms of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the cytosol of male rat livers was demonstrated. The enzyme activity was separated into two fractions (F3 and F4) by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and further fractionation of F3 into four (I-IV) and F4 into three (I-III) fractions was achieved by subsequent CM-Sephadex chromatography. Six forms (F3-II-IV and F4-I-III) were further purified by chromatofocusing and Red-Sepharose 4B chromatography. Two (F4-II and III) of the isolated enzymes were homogeneous, based on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No shift of pI values was observed, when isoelectric focusing was performed with the F4 enzyme species in the presence of NAD(P)+ or NAD(P)H. All six enzyme species migrated closely with each other on dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, from which the molecular masses were estimated to be 32 500 Da. Gel filtration gave similar values for the F4 enzyme species, indicating that each enzyme is a monomeric peptide. All enzyme species were able to catalyse the dehydrogenation of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids (C19 to C26), and not C27 compound having a 1,5-dimethylhexyl side chain. The catalytic properties with steroids were very similar for five of the enzyme species, but F3-IV especially preferred androsterone. When male rat livers were used for isolation, the enzyme activity ratio of F3 to F4 for androsterone was about 1 to 8, whereas the ratio was about 1 to 20 for female rat livers. Considering the biosynthetic pathway of bile acids, the enzymes isolated here might play a specific role in the conversion of a 3 beta-hydroxy group to a 3 alpha-hydroxy group via a 3-oxo group of an intermediate in the synthesis of bile acids.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

In the search for specific inhibitors of human 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenases (11beta-HSDs): chenodeoxycholic acid selectively inhibits 11beta-HSD-I.

OBJECTIVE: Selective inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type I may be of therapeutical interest for two reasons: i) 9alpha-Fluorinated 11-dehydrosteroids like 11-dehydro-dexamethasone (DH-D) are rapidly activated by human kidney 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type II (11beta-HSD-II) to dexamethasone (D). If the same reaction by hepatic 11beta-HSD-I could be selectively inhibited, DH-D could be used for selective renal immunosuppressive therapy. ii) Reduction of cortisone to cortisol in the liver may increase insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and inhibition of the enzyme may lead to a decrease in gluconeogenesis. Therefore, we characterized the metabolism of DH-D by human hepatic 11beta-HSD-I and tried to find a selective inhibitor of this isoenzyme. METHODS: For kinetic analysis of 11beta-HSD-I, we used microsomes prepared from unaffected parts of liver segments, resected because of hepatocarcinoma or metastatic disease. For inhibition experiments, we also tested 11beta-HSD-II activity with human kidney cortex microsomes. The inhibitory potency of several compounds was evaluated for oxidation and reduction in concentrations from 10(-9) to 10(-5)mol/l. RESULTS: Whereas D was not oxidized by human liver microsomes at all, cortisol was oxidized to cortisone with a maximum velocity (V(max)) of 95pmol/mg per min. The reduction of DH-D to D (V(max)=742pmol/mg per min, Michaelis--Menten constant (K(m))=1.6 micromol/l) was faster than that of cortisone to cortisol (V(max)=187pmol/mg per min). All reactions tested in liver microsomes showed the characteristics of 11beta-HSD-I: K(m) values in the micromolar range, preferred cosubstrate NADP(H), no product inhibition. Of the substances tested for inhibition of 11beta-HSD-I and -II, chenodeoxycholic acid was the only one that selectively inhibited 11beta-HSD-I (IC(50) for reduction: 2.8x10(-6)mol/l, IC(50) for oxidation: 4.4x10(-6)mol/l), whereas ketoconazole preferentially inhibited oxidation and reduction reactions catalyzed by 11beta-HSD-II. Metyrapone, which is reduced to metyrapol by hepatic 11beta-HSD-I, inhibited steroid reductase activity of 11beta-HSD-I and -II and oxidative activity of 11beta-HSD-II. These findings can be explained by substrate competition for reductase reactions and by product inhibition of the oxidation, which is a well-known characteristic of 11beta-HSD-II. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro results may offer a new concept for renal glucocorticoid targeting. Oral administration of small amounts of DH-D (low substrate affinity for 11beta-HSD-I) in combination with chenodeoxycholic acid (selective inhibition of 11beta-HSD-I) may prevent hepatic first pass reduction of DH-D, thus allowing selective activation of DH-D to D by the high affinity 11beta-HSD-II in the kidney. Moreover, selective inhibitors of the hepatic 11beta-HSD-I, like chenodeoxycholic acid, may become useful in the therapy of patients with hepatic insulin resistance including diabetes mellitus type II, because cortisol enhances gluconeogenesis.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Association studies between the HSD11B2 gene (encoding human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2), type 1 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in the HSD11B2 gene (encoding human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2) explain the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess where cortisol acts as a mineralocorticoid. A microsatellite marker within the HSD11B2 gene associates with salt sensitivity and hypertension--phenotypes characterising diabetic nephropathy. Here, we evaluate the HSD11B2 gene as a susceptibility locus for diabetic nephropathy. DESIGN: 150 patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy (DN), 145 patients with type 1 diabetes with a long duration of non-nephropathy (LDNN) and 151 normal controls were studied. METHODS: We determined allele frequencies for the (CA)n repeat marker within intron I of the HSD11B2 gene. Duration of type 1 diabetes, diabetic status and renal function were recorded. RESULTS: 11 alleles (138-158) for the marker were observed. Allele 152 was significantly increased in controls compared with LDNN (70.5% vs 57.6%, P(c)<0.05 where P(c) is the P value corrected for multiple comparisons) but no difference was observed between DN and LDNN subjects. Allele 154 was significantly increased in the LDNN compared with the DN subjects (15.9% vs 7.0%, P(c)<0.01) but no difference was observed between DN and controls. A greater proportion of subjects carried at least 1 allele <152 in DN compared with control subjects (47.3% vs 28.5%, P(c)<0.01), but no difference was observed in LDNN compared with control and DN subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Weak associations are reported between the HSD11B2 gene, type 1 diabetes mellitus and nephropathy. The increased frequency of HSD11B2 short alleles in the diabetic groups may reflect reduced renal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) activity and may, in part, explain the enhanced salt sensitivity observed in patients with type 1 diabetes.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2↗

Prostaglandin F-2 alpha receptors in corpora lutea of pregnant rats and relationship with induction of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Luteal receptors for PGF-2 alpha in the pregnant rat were characterized. No changes in the Kd were found during pregnancy, whereas capacity increased to a maximum on Day 19, decreasing thereafter. The decrease in binding sites seen from Days 20 to 22 may be due to down regulation of the receptor by its ligand, since it was prevented by inhibition of PG synthesis by indomethacin treatment. Likewise, in-vivo treatment with PGF-2 alpha reduced the apparent number of PG binding sites. PG receptor concentration seems to be modulated by oestrogens since an increment was found on Day 19, associated with the known increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations, and since receptor concentration on Day 16 was significantly increased by oestradiol benzoate. The uterus also had a negative influence on the appearance of the PG receptor, since hysterectomy on Day 16 increased the number of binding sites on Day 18. However, receptor concentration and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase induction by hysterectomy was not affected by indomethacin, indicating that these events are probably not related to prostaglandin withdrawal. However, treatment with hCG, which diminishes enzyme induction by hysterectomy, did not produce changes in receptor concentration. The present results suggest that PGF-2 alpha, acting through a specific receptor site, is the physiological luteolytic signal. The consequence of its receptor binding seems to be the blockade of a gonadotrophic stimulus, which in turn determines (1) the decrease in progesterone synthesis and (2) the induction of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Characterization of a human 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

It has been suggested that 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) is a T-cell differentiation marker in mice. In the human, this enzyme has generally been associated with types 1 and 2 17beta-HSDs, which belong to the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family, whereas the rat, rabbit, pig and bovine 20alpha-HSDs are members of the aldoketo reductase superfamily, which also includes the 3alpha-HSD family. In this study, we report the cloning, from a human skin cDNA library, of a cDNA that shows, after transfection into human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, high 20alpha-HSD activity but negligible 3alpha- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of the human 20alpha-HSD with those of other related 20alpha- and 3alpha-HSDs indicates that the human 20alpha-HSD shares 79.9, 68.7 and 52.3% identity with rabbit, rat and bovine 20alpha-HSDs, whereas it shows 97, 84 and 65% identity with human type 3, type 1 and rat 3alpha-HSDs. In contrast, the enzyme shares only 15.2 and 15.0% identity with type 1 and type 2 human 17beta-HSDs. DNA analysis predicts a protein of 323 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of 36 767 Da. In intact transfected cells, the human 20alpha-HSD preferentially catalyzes the reduction of progesterone to 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone with a K(m) value of 0.6 microM, the reverse reaction (oxidation) being negligible. In a cell cytosolic preparation, the enzyme could use both NADPH and NADH as cofactors, but NADPH, which gave 4-fold lower K(m) values, was preferred. We detected the expression of 20alpha-HSD mRNA in liver, prostate, testis, adrenal, brain, uterus and mammary-gland tissues and in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. The present study clearly indicates that the genuine human 20alpha-HSD belongs to the aldoketo reductase family, like the 20alpha-HSDs from other species.

20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Direct effects of lithium chloride on the activities of delta 5-3 beta and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testis and Bidder's organ of the adult toad (Bufo melanostictus)--in vitro study.

Steroidogenic key enzymes, i.e. delta 5-3 beta and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3 beta and 17 beta-HSD) activities, in the testis and Bidder's organ of the toad were inhibited and ascorbic acid synthesis in these organs was decreased by a wide range of lithium concentration in in vitro study. A significant inhibition was noted at a concentration of 2.0 mM, which is easily achieved in the blood during the treatment of manic patients by lithium chloride. This experiment reflected that lithium exerts a direct inhibitory effect on hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in the testis and Bidder's organ--a rudimentary ovary in Bufo.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗