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PubMed1999

Cloning of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD)-2 gene in the baboon: effects of estradiol on promoter activity of 11beta-HSD-1 and -2 in placental JEG-3 cells.

In the baboon, estrogen regulated 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) catalyzed metabolism of cortisol and cortisone by the placenta is an important component in the sequence of events regulating the fetal pituitary-adrenocortical axis. The present study was designed to isolate and sequence the promoter region of the baboon 11beta-HSD-2 gene and to produce constructs of this gene and the 1.7 kb fragment of 5'-flanking region of baboon 11beta-HSD-1 isolated previously in order to determine whether the promoters of these two genes were activated in human placental JEG-3 cells and whether expression could be modulated by estradiol. The 11beta-HSD-2 genomic DNA was isolated from a baboon kidney genomic library using a human 11beta-HSD-2 cDNA as a probe. The sequence of a 1.2 kb fragment of the 5'-flanking region showed extensive homology with that published by others for human 11beta-HSD-2, particularly in exon 1 (>95%) and in the proximal promoter (>90%). Primer extension confirmed that the baboon 11beta-HSD-2 gene has multiple transcriptional start sites which are preceded by a GC box. To determine promoter activity of 11beta-HSD-2 and -1, the 5'-flanking regions of these genes were subcloned into luciferase reporter pGL3 vectors, transiently transfected into human placental JEG-3 cells, and then incubated for 16-18 h in the presence or absence of 10-8 M 17beta-estradiol or 17alpha-estradiol. To augment the low level of estrogen receptor (ER) in JEG cells, promoter activity studies were also performed in JEG cells co-transfected with an expression vector containing the human ER cDNA. The promoters of both 11beta-HSD-1 and -2 were activated following transient transfection into JEG-3 cells although basal activity of 11beta-HSD-2 (87+/-21 RLU/microg protein) always exceeded (P<0.05) that of 11beta-HSD-1 (37+/-7). In the absence of co-transfected ER, basal promoter activities of both 11beta-HSD genes were not altered by 17beta-estradiol. In contrast, in cells co-transfected with ER, 17beta-estradiol but not 17alpha-estradiol increased (P<0.05) basal promoter activities of 11beta-HSD-1 and -2 by 8.1+/-1.5 and 8.3+/-2. 0 fold, respectively. Collectively, these findings indicate that the promoter region of the baboon 11beta-HSD-2 gene is comparable to that in the human and that the 5'-flanking region of both the baboon 11beta-HSD-1 and -2 genes were active when transiently transfected into JEG-3 cells and that activation could be enhanced by estradiol in the presence of an estrogen receptor.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2002

The 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity in human placental microsomes is inactivated by zinc and the sulfhydryl modifying reagent N-ethylmaleimide.

Proper glucocorticoid exposure in utero is vital to normal fetal organ growth and maturation. The human placental 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme (11 beta-HSD2) catalyzes the unidirectional conversion of cortisol to its inert metabolite cortisone, thereby controlling fetal exposure to maternal cortisol. The present study examined the effect of zinc and the relatively specific sulfhydryl modifying reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) on the activity of 11 beta-HSD2 in human placental microsomes. Enzyme activity, reflected by the rate of conversion of cortisol to cortisone, was inactivated by NEM (IC(50)=10 microM), while the activity was markedly increased by the sulfhydryl protecting reagent dithiothreitol (DTT; EC(50)=1 mM). Furthermore, DTT blocked the NEM-induced inhibition of 11 beta-HSD2 activity. Taken together, these results suggested that the sulfhydryl (SH) group(s) of the microsomal 11 beta-HSD2 may be critical for enzyme activity. Zn(2+) also inactivated enzyme activity (IC(50)=2.5 microM), but through a novel mechanism not involving the SH groups. In addition, prior incubation of human placental microsomes with NAD(+) (cofactor) but not cortisol (substrate) resulted in a concentration-dependent increase (EC(50)=8 microM) in 11 beta-HSD2 activity, indicating that binding of NAD(+) to the microsomal 11 beta-HSD2 facilitated the conversion of cortisol to cortisone. Thus, this finding substantiates the previously proposed concept that a compulsorily ordered ternary complex mechanism may operate for 11 beta-HSD2, with NAD(+) binding first, followed by a conformational change allowing cortisol binding with high affinity. Collectively, the present results suggest that cellular mechanisms of SH group modification and intracellular levels of Zn(2+) may play an important role in regulation of placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2↗
PubMed1998

11 Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in the postnatal and adult rat brain.

11 Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD) catalyses the interconversion of active corticosterone and inert 11-dehydrocorticosterone. The recently discovered type 2 isozyme (11 beta-HSD-2) is a high affinity, NAD-dependent, exclusive 11 beta-dehydrogenase, which rapidly inactivates glucocorticoids. Thus the enzyme generates aldosterone-selectivity for intrinsically non-selective mineralocorticoid receptors in vivo as well as excluding glucocorticoids from glucocorticoid receptors, the latter being particularly important during development. Aldosterone exerts selective central effects upon salt appetite and blood pressure whilst glucocorticoids have potent effects upon postnatal neurogenesis and brain remodelling. We examined 11 beta-HSD-2 expression during postnatal ontogeny and in adult rat brain. High 11 beta-HSD-2 mRNA expression was found specifically in the postnatal thalamus and the external granule cell layer of the cerebellum. Expression peaked at the end of the first postnatal week and declined rapidly thereafter. Postnatal brain showed considerable activity of high affinity 11 beta-HSD-2 which paralleled expression of 11 beta-HSD-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). Adult brain showed high 11 beta-HSD-2 mRNA expression limited to the subcommissural organ, with lower expression in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, locus coeruleus and nucleus tractus solitarius. These discrete areas are compatible with proposed selective central actions of aldosterone on blood pressure (subcommissural organ, nucleus tractus solitarius) and salt appetite (ventromedial nucleus, amygdala). In contrast, early postnatal 11 beta-HSD-2 coincides with glucocorticoid receptor rather than mineralocorticoid receptor expression, and areas of expression are among the regions where glucocorticoids have been demonstrated to have profound effects upon neuronal division, growth and maturation.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2000

Heterogeneity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1/microsomal carbonyl reductase (11beta-HSD/CR) in guinea pig tissues. Purification of the liver form suggests modification in the cosubstrate binding site.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) and xenobiotic carbonyl reductase activities were determined in guinea pig tissue microsomes. The data indicate the presence of a NADP(H) dependent form, distinct from the known type I isozyme. Purification of 11beta-HSD-1 from liver microsomes resulted in two distinct peaks, resolved by dye-ligand chromatography, indicating differences in the cosubstrate binding site. Immunoblot analysis using anti 11beta-HSD-1 antibodies reveals the presence of similar structural determinants between the enzyme forms. Both have an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa, suggesting protein modifications occurring in the type 1 isozyme which account for the differences in chromatographic behaviour.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1↗
PubMed2000

Environmental inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Gossypol, a polyphenolic compound from cotton seed, caused hypokalemia in some men receiving it in a trial of its contraceptive activity. Searching for the mechanism for its hypokalemic action led to the observation that it inhibited 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This would enhance mineralocorticoid effect in the kidney. Many other polyphenols also inhibit this enzyme including those in grapefruit juice. Ingesting 1-2 l of grapefruit juice inhibited this enzyme in two men in a clinical experiment. Tea polyphenols inhibit this enzyme and add to the inhibition caused by gossypol. Men in China have lower serum potassium values than men elsewhere and this is due to the environment, presumably the diet, in China. The importance of dietary and other exogenous inhibitors of this enzyme in electrolyte metabolism remains to be determined.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2000

Human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1/carbonyl reductase: recombinant expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli.

Detoxification of aldehydes and ketones generally proceeds via reduction to their corresponding alcohols, which are then conjugated and eliminated. We focused our interest on 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD 1), a pluripotent enzyme which physiologically performs the interconversion of active and inactive glucocorticoid hormones, and which also participates in xenobiotic carbonyl compound detoxification. 11beta-HSD 1 belongs to the protein superfamily of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR), and has been structurally and functionally characterized. 11beta-HSD 1 is a glycosylated membrane protein which is very difficult to purify in an active state. In addition, expression levels in humans differ in a wide range. In order to facilitate biochemical and molecular studies on the significance of human 11beta-HSD 1 in detoxification processes, we have successfully performed the overexpression of recombinant human 11beta-HSD 1 in the yeast Pichia pastoris and in Escherichia coli. Recombinant 11beta-HSD 1 from E. coli was purified to homogeneity and used to generate a polyclonal antibody. The enzyme had no enzymatic activity, possibly due to the lack of glycosylation and/or incorrect folding in E. coli. In contrast, 11beta-HSD 1 overexpressed in P. pastoris was enzymatically active towards its physiological glucocorticoid substrates as well as towards xenobiotic carbonyl compounds. In western blot experiments the antibody crossreacted with both recombinant 11beta-HSD 1 forms and with the native enzyme from mouse and human liver. In conclusion, recombinant 11beta-HSD 1 from P. pastoris serves as a valuable tool for future studies on carbonyl compound detoxification.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1↗
PubMed2001

Phenotypic analysis of mice bearing targeted deletions of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases 1 and 2 genes.

The glucocorticoid metabolising enzymes, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11beta-HSD), play a critical role in determining the availability of glucocorticoids to activate their receptors and hence modulate target gene transcription. There are two isozymes, 11beta-HSD-1 and -2, which act in opposing directions. 11beta-HSD-2 acts as a dehydrogenase, converting active corticosterone (cortisol in humans) to its inactive 11-keto derivative (11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents and cortisone in humans), whereas 11beta-HSD-1 acts as a reductase, regenerating active glucocorticoids in a tissue-specific manner. Owing to the lack of specific inhibitors of these enzymes, it has been difficult to confirm the roles and determine the importance of these enzymes in vivo. Hence, to address this, we produced transgenic mice with null-mutations in the genes encoding the 11beta-HSD-1 or 11beta-HSD-2 enzymes. 11beta-HSD-2 -/- mice show signs of hypertension, hypotonic polyuria, hypokalemia and hypochloremia. These symptoms arise from illicit activation of mineralocorticoid receptors by glucocorticoids, in the absence of the protective action of 11beta-HSD-2. The phenotype is directly comparable to the Syndrome of Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess, seen in humans with mutations in the 11beta-HSD-2 gene. Mice lacking 11beta-HSD-1, however, show a more subtle phenotype with reduced activation of glucocorticoid-induced processes. They were unable to convert 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone in vivo, confirming 11beta-HSD-1 as the sole 11-reductase in the mouse. They have elevated circulating levels of plasma corticosterone levels and adrenal hyperplasia, but they also have attenuated glucocorticoid-induced activation of gluconeogenic enzymes in response to fasting, and lower glucose levels in response to obesity or stress. Overall, these transgenic models have proved very useful for elucidating the roles of 11beta-HSDs in vivo and will be a unique resource for investigating the importance of each enzyme in the diverse actions of glucocorticoids.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2001

Immunohistochemical distribution of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human eye.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) regulates local actions of corticosteroids at glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Corticosteroids are thought to play important roles in ocular function. However, mechanisms of intraocular corticosteroid action are still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of 11beta-HSD type 1 (11beta-HSD1), 11beta-HSD type 2 (11beta-HSD2), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in human ocular tissues from patients (6 months to 78 years of age; n = 10) retrieved from surgical pathology files. Both 11beta-HSD2 and MR immunoreactivity was detected only in non-pigmented epithelium of the ciliary body, but was undetectable in cornea, lens, iris, retina, choroid and sclera, in all the cases examined. GR was detected in all cell types in the human eye. 11beta-HSD1 immunoreactivity was not detected in the human eye in this study. These results suggest that 11beta-HSD2 play an important role in human ocular mineralocorticoid action, such as the production of aqueous humor, in the ciliary body. The widespread expression of GR suggests that glucocorticoids may play an important role in the function and homeostasis of the human eye.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Truncation of the N- and C-terminal regions of the human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme and effects on solubility and bidirectional enzyme activity.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II enzyme (11betaHSD2) endows specificity on the mineralocorticoid receptor by metabolising glucocorticoids. Sequence comparisons with other microsomal proteins showed the strongly preferred topology of a lumenal pentapeptide followed by three transmembrane helices with residues beyond Ala73 on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane, suggesting that 11betaHSD2 is anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum by the N-terminal region. However, deletion of the N-terminus (11betaHSD2 deltaN) and expression of the construct in mammalian cells showed that the enzyme remained bound to the microsomal fraction, indicating that other regions are also involved in membrane anchoring. Crosslinking studies and nonreducing SDS-PAGE demonstrated that 11betaHSD2 is a non-covalently linked dimer. Deletion of the non-conserved C-terminal region (11betaHSD2 deltaC) resulted in an enzyme with a Km of 215 nM for cortisol in whole cell assays, while 11betaHSD2 and 11betaHSD2 deltaN displayed a Km of 62 and 74 nM, respectively. In homogenates 11betaHSD2 and 11betaHSD2 deltaC displayed maximal activity at 140 mM NaCl or KCl, but showed a marked decrease in enzyme activity with increasing salt. 11BetaHSD2 was more stable than 11betaHSD2 deltaC in the presence of NaSCN, suggesting that the C-terminal region plays a role in enzyme stability. There was no detectable activity in homogenates containing 11betaHSD2 deltaN, while 11betaHSD2 deltaC and 11betaHSD2 displayed a Km of 135 and 46 nM, respectively. Although 11betaHSD2 is conventionally considered a unidirectional dehydrogenase all constructs converted 11-dehydrodexamethasone to dexamethasone in whole cell assays, providing an explanation for the potency of the synthetic glucocorticoid in the face of a powerful inactivator of natural glucocorticoids.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Isoforms of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human granulosa-lutein cells.

To date, two isoforms of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) have been characterized: a low affinity, NADP+-dependent isoform (11betaHSD1) and a high affinity, NAD+-dependent isoform which metabolizes dexamethasone and is inhibited by cortisone (11betaHSD2). Having previously reported a relationship between ovarian 11betaHSD activities and conception in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF-ET), the objective of the present study was to identify which isoforms of 11betaHSD metabolize glucocorticoids in cultures of human granulosa-lutein cells. In both intact cells and cell homogenates, two distinct 11betaHSD activities were identified with differing affinities for cortisol (Km = 490 nM and 2.6 microM). Even at low concentrations, cortisol oxidation was preferentially supported by NADP+ and was independent of NAD+. Although inhibited by the hemisuccinate ester of glycyrrhetinic acid, carbenoxolone, the predominant 11betaHSD activity in intact cells was resistant to end-product inhibition. Intact cells were also able to reduce [3H]cortisone (Km = 190 nM) but did not metabolize [3H]dexamethasone. 11BetaHSD1 mRNA was expressed in 23 of 28 cell cultures whereas 11betaHSD2 mRNA was not expressed in any of the 22 independent cultures studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We conclude that human granulosa-lutein cells express both type 11betaHSD and a novel isoform of this enzyme. While the low affinity 11beta-dehydrogenase and 11-ketosteroid reductase activities exhibit properties consistent with 11betaHSD1, the high affinity 11beta-dehydrogenase differs from 11betaHSD2 in that it is NADP+-dependent, does not metabolize dexamethasone and is resistant to end-product inhibition.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Leukocytes modulate 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) activity in human granulosa-lutein cell cultures.

It is well established that there are interactions between the immune and reproductive systems. The ovary contains indigenous macrophages, as well as other classes of leukocytes in smaller numbers. Cytokines secreted by these cells have been shown to have the ability to regulate ovarian steroidogenesis. In the present study, the effect of leukocytes on 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) in human granulosa-lutein cells was examined. In addition, individual cytokines were also tested for their ability to regulate this enzyme. The follicular aspirates of patients undergoing IVF treatment were used as a source of granulosa cells. Cells isolated from these aspirates were found to contain between 15 and 60% leukocytes as assessed by flow cytometry (FACS). Leukocytes were removed from the sample preparations by the use of immunomagnetic beads coated with CD45 antibody, which recognises a surface antigen on all classes of leukocyte. Removal of leukocytes significantly decreased the 11beta-HSD activity in the granulosa cells, assayed after 3 days of culture, from 7.3 (2-20) to 3.5 (1-10) pmol cortisone formed/50000 cells/4 h (medians and ranges, n = 15). Addition of IL-5 and IL-6 significantly increased the 11beta-HSD activity in granulosa cell cultures both in the presence and absence of leukocytes. Addition of IL-4 and IFN-gamma increased 11beta-HSD activity only in the leukocyte-depleted granulosa cell cultures, whereas IL-2 had no effect on either of the cultures. The data suggests that leukocytes interact with the ovarian cells through cytokine secretion and/or cell-cell contact to increase the 11beta-HSD activity in human granulosa cells.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 is a high affinity corticosterone-binding protein.

In addition to mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, a third category of corticosteroid binding sites has been described in the kidney, the Type III binding protein. This intracellular binder has high affinity for corticosterone, but binds neither aldosterone nor synthetic glucocorticoids. Based on similarities in steroid specificity and kinetic parameters, we hypothesized that these corticosterone binding sites belong to the type 2 isoform of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD2). The goal of this study was to express the recombinant rabbit 11 beta-HSD2 in mammalian cells and test if such cells acquire both NAD-dependent 11 beta-HSD2 activity as well as high affinity corticosterone binding sites. Stably transfected CHO cell lines expressed high, NAD-dependent, unidirectional 11 beta-HSD2 activity. At the same time, the transfected cells also acquired a large number of corticosterone-specific binding sites (1.21 +/- 0.3 x 10[6]), whereas non-transfected cells had no corticosterone binding above background. The Kd for corticosterone was 25 +/- 8 nM. Neither the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists dexamethasone and RU 28362 nor the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) agonist aldosterone bound to these sites. The steroid specificity of the binding sites, as determined by competing [3H]corticosterone with unlabeled steroids, is identical to that of 11 beta-HSD2: corticosterone >> 11-hydroxyprogesterone > carbenoxolone > 11 dehydrocorticosterone > cortisol > progesterone approximately DOC >>> DEX > RU 28362 - aldosterone. These results strongly suggest that the previously described high affinity corticosterone binding sites are 11 beta-HSD2. Thus, though Type III binding sites are not corticosteroid receptors as originally thought, they play an important role in regulating the activity of both mineralocorticoid- and glucocorticoid receptors.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Ontogeny and sexual dimorphic expression of mouse type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisol to hormonally inactive cortisone (corticosterone (B) to 11-dehydrocorticosterone (A) in rodents), and as such is established as a pre-receptor signalling pathway for corticosteroid hormone action. To further evaluate the role of this enzyme in adult and fetal life we have characterized two isoforms of 11beta-HSD in mouse tissues. Mouse 'liver' or type 1 11beta-HSD is a bi-directional dehydrogenase/oxo-reductase (K(m) for B 1.9 microM, K(m) for A 0.73 microM). Oxo-reductase activity utilized only NADPH as a co-factor, whilst dehydrogenase activity increased with both NAD or NADP. Mouse 'kidney' or 11beta-HS3D2 activity was NAD-dependent with a K(m) for B of 0.11 microM. Dexamethasone was not a substrate. Using an in-house mouse 11beta-HSD2 cDNA and NAD-dependent activity studies, 11 beta-HSD2 was expressed in epithelial cells of colon, renal collecting ducts, ovary, and adrenal, but was absent in liver, spleen, testis and heart. With the exception of gonadal tissues, activity and mRNA levels were consistently higher in adult male versus female tissues. In fetal kidney and colon there was absent/low levels of 11beta-HSD2 expression from fetal day 15 to term (day 19/20). Placental 11beta-HSD2 mRNA and activity were highest on fetal day 13/14 and fell progressively to undetectable levels by term. Two isoforms of 11beta-HSD are present in mouse tissues in accordance with other mammalian species. The sexual-dimorphic expression 11 beta-HSD2 in kidney and colon may reflect male-female differences in sodium homeostasis, and the absent expression of 11 beta-HSD2 in late gestation may facilitate glucocorticoid-dependent maturation of mouse fetal tissues.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Cloning and expression of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene in the baboon.

In the baboon, the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD)-catalyzed metabolism of maternal cortisol and cortisone by the placenta is an important component in the sequence of events regulating the function of the fetal pituitary-adrenocortical axis. The present study was designed to isolate and sequence the promoter region of the baboon 11beta-HSD-1 gene. The 11beta-HSD-1 genomic DNA was isolated from a baboon kidney genomic library using a human 11beta-HSD-1 cDNA as a probe. The sequence of a 1.7 kb fragment of the 5'-flanking region showed extensive homology (> 95) to that published by others for human 11beta-HSD-1 particularly in exons I and II (> 95%) and in the proximal promoter ( > 98%). Using total RNA from adult baboon liver annealed with a 22 bp antisense primer located at the 3' end of Exon I, parallel genomic sequencing reactions with the same primer confirmed that the baboon 11beta-HSD-1 gene has two transcriptional start sites 93 nucleotides apart and that both start sites are preceded by a CAAT box but not a TATA box. RNase protection assays confirmed that both transcription start sites are utilized in liver and near term baboon placenta and that transcripts emanating from the downstream start site dominate in the placenta in contrast to the preferential utilization of the upstream start site in adult liver.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1997

Variation in placental type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity is not related to birth weight or placental weight.

It has been suggested that the association between the development of hypertension and a combination of low birth weight and high placental weight can be explained by variations in expression of NAD+-dependent 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD2 or 11-HSD K) in the placenta. Enzymatic activity and mRNA levels of 11-HSD2 were measured in 111 human placentas taken from normal births. There were no correlations between either 11-HSD2 activity or mRNA levels and either fetal or placental weight. These studies suggest that variations in placental 11-HSD activity do not influence fetal or placental weight in humans.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1998

11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in first trimester human trophoblasts.

This study evaluated the levels and the enzymatic characteristics of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (11beta-HSD) of chorionic villi isolated from first trimester human placenta. The results demonstrated a predominant expression of the NAD-dependent dehydrogenase isoform (11beta-HSD2) over the NADP-dependent oxoreductase (11beta-HSD1). Thus, in tissue homogenates exogenous NAD increased the conversion of corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone of about 14-fold while NADP was ineffective. There was no conversion of 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone either with NADH or NADPH demonstrating the lack of reductase activity. In keeping with these results, RT-PCR analysis indicated a mRNA for 11beta-HSD2 in villous tissue while 11beta-HSD1 mRNA levels were undetectable. In addition, immunohistochemical staining localized the 11beta-HSD2 protein to syncytiotrophoblasts and cell columns of the chorionic villi. These results suggest roles for the trophoblast-associated 11beta-HSD2 oxidative activity in modulating the exposure of the embryo to active glucocorticoids in the early gestation and in regulating trophoblasts invasion of the uterine wall.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1999

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: functions and physiological effects.

The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes (11beta-HSD) interconvert cortisol and cortisone in man, and corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents. Two distantly related congeners have been isolated and conserved domains identified by multiple alignment and hydrophobic cluster analysis. 11Beta-HSD1 in the liver acts mainly as an oxoreductase maintaining circulating glucocorticoid levels. Gene deletion studies suggest it plays an important role in providing elevated local concentrations of hormone. In contrast, 11beta-HSD2 inactivates glucocorticoids and is pivotal in the distal tubule where it protects the mineralocorticoid receptor from occupation, thus endowing specificity on a non-selective receptor. Mutations in 11beta-HSD2 result in sodium retention and severe hypertension, account for the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess and may be responsible for other forms of hypertension. 11Beta-HSD2 is also present in the placenta where it protects the fetus from high circulating levels of maternal glucocorticoids. Attenuated placental 11beta-HSD2 activity has recently been shown to be associated with intrauterine growth retardation. 11Beta-HSD2 may also play important roles in pulmonary physiology and breast cancer. This review focuses on recent developments.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1999

The effects of different culture media, glucose, pyridine nucleotides and adenosine on the activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat Leydig cells.

11Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) reversibly converts glucocorticoids into inert 11-ketosteroids. The direction of the reaction has been found to vary with the cell type and sub-cellular preparation used. We have investigated if the directionality of 11betaHSD can be influenced by the nature of the culture medium and compounds added during incubation of rat testis Leydig cells. We found that when the cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) that the dehydrogenase (11betaDH) activity was higher than the reductase (11KSR) activity (11betaDH:11KSR ratio approximately 2:1). When glucose was omitted from the DMEM a higher 11betaDH:11KSR ratio (approximately 33:1) was obtained. However, when the cells were cultured in a combination of DMEM/Ham's F12 (1:1, v/v), a ninefold increase in 11KSR activity was obtained whereas 11betaDH activity was inhibited by 64% compared with cells incubated in DMEM alone. Consequently, the predominant activity changed from a dehydrogenase to a reductase (11betaDH:11KSR ratio 1:15). Addition of the individual components of the Ham's F12 medium to DMEM showed that only pyruvate and/or the amino acids were able to mimic the effects of DMEM/Ham's F12. Similar differential effects were found when NAD+, NADH or adenosine were added to the Leydig cells incubated in DMEM (three to fivefold increases and 20-50% decreases in 11KSR and 11betaDH activities, respectively). In contrast, NADP+ was found to increase 11betaDH activity (up to threefold) but NADPH had no effect on 11KSR activity. Cells incubated with DMEM/Ham's F12, NAD+, NADP+ and adenosine were found to have higher ATP levels (four to sixfold) than those incubated in DMEM alone. These results illustrate that the relative 11betaDH and 11KSR activities of 11betaHSD in Leydig cells are markedly and differentially altered by the nature of the incubation medium and compounds added.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1↗