Progesterone Oxidation by Cytochrome P450 2D Isoforms in the Brain

Abstract

The existence of cytochrome P450 2D isoforms in the brain has been demonstrated, although their physiological functions remain to be elucidated. In this study we demonstrated that recombinant rat cytochrome P450 2D1 and 2D4 and human cytochrome P450 2D6 possess progesterone 6β- and 16α- hydroxylation activities; 2β- and 21-hydroxylation activities; and 2β-, 6β-, 16α- and 21-hydroxylation activities, respectively. Cytochrome P450 2D4 had the lowest Km value and the highest maximum velocity value toward these activities. Progesterone 2β- and 21-hydroxylation activities were also detected in rat brain microsomes, and these activities were completely inhibited by anticytochrome P450 2D antibodies. The presence of endogenous 2β- and 21-hydroxyprogesterones in rat brain tissues was also demonstrated. The mRNAs of cytochrome P450 2D4, CYP11A, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were detected in the rat brain, suggesting that progesterone was generated from cholesterol by CYP11A and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and then underwent hydroxylation to hydroxyprogesterones by cytochrome P450 2D4 in rat brain. Collectively, our findings support the idea that cytochrome P450 2D may be involved in the regulation (metabolism and/or synthesis) of endogenous neuroactive steroids, such as progesterone and its derivatives, in brain tissues.