Abstract

Aromatization of 16alpha-hydroxyandrostenedione (16alpha-OH AD) with aromatase in human placental microsomes was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using 12,4,6,6,9alpha,16beta,17alpha-2H7]estriol as an internal standard. 16alpha-OH AD was incubated with the microsomes in the presence of NADPH in air. The metabolite was extracted with ethyl acetate and treated with NaBH4. The reduced product, estriol, was isolated by Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and then analyzed as the tris(trimethylsilyl)ether by a GC-MS (EI mode). The production of estriol was dependent upon protein concentration and incubation time. Apparent Km and Vmax values of the microsomal aromatase for 16alpha-OH AD were 568 nM and 25.5 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. In this assay, aromatase activity, estriol formation, could be determined at a level as low as 1 pmol/min/mg protein. Aromatase inhibitors, 4-hydroxy- and 6-oxo-androstenediones, prevented the estriol formation in a competitive manner with 25 and 30 nM of apparent Ki values, respectively.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.