Human 3β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type Research Articles

Effects of phenolic compounds on 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in human and rat placenta: Screening, mode of action, and docking analysis

Human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (HSD3B1) and rat type IV (HSD3B4) in placentas catalyze the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone, which plays a key role in maintaining pregnancy. Many phenolic compounds potentially inhibit HSD3B in placentas as endocrine disruptors. In this study, the effects of 16 phenolic compounds on the activity of human HSD3B1 and rat HSD3B4 were determined and the structure-activity relationship was compared. HSD3B1 in human placental microsomes and HSD3B4 in rat placental microsomes were used to measure their activities and pregnenolone and NAD+ were used as substrates. Of the 16 phenolic compounds, 4-nonylphenol, pentabromophenol, and 2-bromophenol resulted in residual human HSD3B1 activity lower than 50 % and 4-nonylphenol and pentabromophenol resulted in residual rat HSD3B4 activity lower than 50 %. 4-Nonylphenol, pentabromophenol, and 2-bromophenol were mixed inhibitors of human HSD3B1, with Ki values of 2.31, 3.58 and 4.86 µM, respectively, while 4-nonylphenol and pentabromophenol were noncompetitive inhibitors of rat HSD3B4 with Ki values of 20.86 and 141.8 µM. Molecular docking showed that 4-nonylphenol, pentabromophenol, and 2-bromophenol docked to the active sites of human HSD3B1 and rat HSD3B4, and the shift of residue S125 in human HSD3B1 to T125 in rat HSD3B4 could explain the species-dependent difference in their inhibitory potency and mode of action. This study demonstrates that 4-nonylphenol, pentabromophenol, and 2-bromophenol are mixed inhibitors of human placental HSD3B1, while 4-nonylphenol and pentabromophenol are noncompetitive inhibitors of rat HSD3B4, possibly blocking the placental steroidogenesis.

Structure-function relationships for the selective inhibition of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 by a novel androgen analog

3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β-HSD1) is selectively expressed in human placenta, mammary glands and breast tumors in women. Human 3β-HSD2 is selectively expressed in adrenal glands and ovaries. Based on AutoDock 3 and 4 results, we have exploited key differences in the amino acid sequences of 3β-HSD1 (Ser194, Arg195) and 3β-HSD2 (Gly194, Pro195) by designing a selective inhibitor of 3β-HSD1. 2,16-Dicyano-4,5-epoxy-androstane-3,17-dione (16-cyano-17-keto-trilostane or DiCN-AND) was synthesized in a 4-step procedure from androstenedione. In purified 3β-HSD inhibition studies, DiCN-AND competitively inhibited 3β- HSD1 with Ki=4.7μM and noncompetitively inhibited 3β-HSD2 with a 6.5-fold higher Ki=30.7μM. We previously reported similar isoenzyme-specific inhibition profiles for trilostane. Based on our docking results, we created, expressed and purified the chimeric S194G-1 mutant of 3β-HSD1. Trilostane inhibited S194G-1 (Ki=0.67μM) with a noncompetitive mode compared to its 6.7-fold higher affinity, competitive inhibition of 3β-HSD1 (Ki=0.10μM). DiCN-AND inhibited S194G-1 with a 6.3-fold higher Ki (29.5μM) than measured for 3β-HSD1 (Ki=4.7μM) but with the same competitive mode for both enzyme species. Since DiCN-AND noncompetitively inhibits 3β-HSD2, which has the Gly194 and Pro195 of 3β-HSD2 in place of the Ser194 and Arg195 in 3β-HSD1, this suggests that Arg195 alone in 3β-HSD1 or S194G-1 is required to bind DiCN-AND in the substrate binding site (competitive inhibition). However, both Ser194 and Arg195 are required to bind trilostane in the 3β-HSD1 substrate site based on its noncompetitive inhibition of S194G-1 and 3β-HSD2. In support of this hypothesis, DiCN-AND inhibited our chimeric R195P-1 mutant noncompetitively with a Ki=41.3μM (similar to the 3β-HSD2 inhibition profile). Since DiCN-AND competitively inhibited S194G-1 that still contains R195 but noncompetitively inhibited R195P-1 that still contains S194, our data provides strong evidence that the Arg195 being mutated to Pro195 (as present in 3β-HSD2) shifts the inhibition mode from competitive to noncompetitive in 3β-HSD1. This supports the key role of Arg195 in 3β-HSD1 for the high affinity, competitive binding of the trilostane analogs. Our new structure/function information for the design of targeted 3β-HSD1 inhibitors may lead to important new treatments for the prevention of spontaneous premature birth.

Expression of 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 in Breast Cancer is Associated with Poor Prognosis Independent of Estrogen Receptor Status.

Human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1) plays a vital role in steroidogenesis in breast tumors and may therefore be a suitable target for treatment of breast cancer. This study investigated the role of HSD3B1 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in clinical and experimental settings. Expression of HSD3B1 in primary tumors of 258 breast cancer patients was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Screening of breast cancer cell lines indicated that triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells expressed HSD3B1. The effects from genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of HSD3B1 were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The findings showed that 44% of the 258 breast cancers were HSD3B1-positive. The HSD3B1-positivity was associated with advanced-stage disease (p=0.009) and reduced recurrence-free survival (p=0.048) but not with tumor subtype or estrogen receptor status. Silencing of HSD3B1 or treatment with an HSD3B1 inhibitor (trilostane) reduced colony formation in breast cancer cells. Knockdown of HSD3B1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Analysis of a murine xenograft tumor model indicated that trilostane significantly slowed tumor growth. Expression of HSD3B1 in breast cancer is negatively associated with prognosis. The study found HSD3B1 to be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer independent of estrogen receptor status.

Human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in human breast cancer: clinical significance and prognostic associations.

Active sex steroids including estrogens and androgens are locally produced from circulating inactive steroids by various steroid‐metabolizing enzymes, and play pivotal roles in the progression of hormone‐dependent breast cancers. Human 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β‐HSD type 1) is a critical enzyme in the formation of all classes of active steroid hormones, and is also involved in the inactivation of potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Therefore, this enzyme is suggested to modulate active sex steroid production or inactivation, with a role in hormone‐dependent breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of 3β‐HSD type 1 in human breast cancer. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we evaluated 3β‐HSD type 1 expression in 161 human breast cancers and analyzed correlations of 3β‐HSD type 1 expression with various clinicopathological factors. Of 161 breast cancer cases, 3β‐HSD type 1 expression in cancer cells was detected in 119 cases (73.9%), and was positively correlated with estrogen receptor (ER)‐positivity but not HER‐2 status. In ER‐positive cases (n = 130), 3β‐HSD type 1 expression was inversely correlated with invasive tumor size (P = 0.0009), presence of invasive region (P = 0.0107), and lymphatic involvement (P = 0.0004). 3β‐HSD type 1 expression was significantly associated with decreased risk of recurrence or improved prognosis by both univariate (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.009, respectively) and multivariate (P = 0.027 and P = 0.023, respectively) analyses. Our findings indicate that this enzyme is a prognostic factor in hormone‐dependent breast cancer.

Structural modeling and in silico analysis of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a most common type of genetic mutations, result from single base pair alterations. Non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNP) occur in the coding regions of a gene and result in single amino acid substitution which might have the potential to affect the function as well as structure of the corresponding protein. In human the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases/Δ4,5-isomerase type 2 (HSD3B2) is an important membrane-bound enzyme involved in the dehydrogenation and Δ4,5-isomerization of the Δ5-steroid precursors into their respective Δ4-ketosteroids in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, progesterone, androgens, and estrogens in tissues such as adrenal gland, ovary, and testis. Most of the nsSNPs of HSD3B2 are still uncharacterized in terms of their disease causing potential. So, this study has been undertaken to explore and extend the knowledge related to the effect of nsSNPs on the stability and function of the HSD3B2. In this study sixteen nsSNP of HSD3B2 were subjected to in silico analysis using nine different algorithms: SIFT, PROVEAN, PolyPhen, MutPred, SNPeffect, nsSNP Analyzer, PhD SNP, stSNP, and I Mutant 2.0. The results obtained from the analysis revealed that the prioritization of diseases associated amino acid substitution as evident from possible alteration in structure–function relationship. Structural phylogenetic analysis using ConSurf revealed that the functional residues are highly conserved in human HSD3B2; and most of the disease associated nsSNPs are within these conserved residues. Structural theoritical models of HSD3B2 were created using HHPred, Phyre2 and RaptorX server. The predicted models were evaluated to get the best one for structural understanding of amino acid substitutions in three dimensional spaces.

Regulation of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 by adrenal corticosteroids and product-feedback by androstenedione in human adrenarche.

In human adrenarche during childhood, the secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) from the adrenal gland increases due to its increased synthesis and/or decreased metabolism. DHEA is synthesized by 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, and is metabolized by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (3βHSD2). In this study, the inhibition of purified human 3βHSD2 by the adrenal steroids, androstenedione, cortisone, and cortisol, was investigated and related to changes in secondary enzyme structure. Solubilized, purified 3βHSD2 was inhibited competitively by androstenedione with high affinity, by cortisone at lower affinity, and by cortisol only at very high, nonphysiologic levels. When purified 3βHSD2 was bound to lipid vesicles, the competitive Ki values for androstenedione and cortisone were slightly decreased, and the Ki value of cortisol was decreased 2.5-fold, although still at a nonphysiologic level. The circular dichroism spectrum that measured 3βHSD2 secondary structure was significantly altered by the binding of cortisol, but not by androstenedione and cortisone. Our import studies show that 3βHSD2 binds in the intermitochondrial space as a membrane-associated protein. Androstenedione inhibits purified 3βHSD2 at physiologic levels, but similar actions for cortisol and cortisone are not supported. In summary, our results have clarified the mechanisms for limiting the metabolism of DHEA during human adrenarche.

Differential Regulation of Human 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 for Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis by Starvation and Cyclic Amp Stimulation: Studies in the Human Adrenal NCI-H295R Cell Model

Human steroid biosynthesis depends on a specifically regulated cascade of enzymes including 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD3Bs). Type 2 HSD3B catalyzes the conversion of pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone to progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione in the human adrenal cortex and the gonads but the exact regulation of this enzyme is unknown. Therefore, specific downregulation of HSD3B2 at adrenarche around age 6–8 years and characteristic upregulation of HSD3B2 in the ovaries of women suffering from the polycystic ovary syndrome remain unexplained prompting us to study the regulation of HSD3B2 in adrenal NCI-H295R cells. Our studies confirm that the HSD3B2 promoter is regulated by transcription factors GATA, Nur77 and SF1/LRH1 in concert and that the NBRE/Nur77 site is crucial for hormonal stimulation with cAMP. In fact, these three transcription factors together were able to transactivate the HSD3B2 promoter in placental JEG3 cells which normally do not express HSD3B2. By contrast, epigenetic mechanisms such as methylation and acetylation seem not involved in controlling HSD3B2 expression. Cyclic AMP was found to exert differential effects on HSD3B2 when comparing short (acute) versus long-term (chronic) stimulation. Short cAMP stimulation inhibited HSD3B2 activity directly possibly due to regulation at co-factor or substrate level or posttranslational modification of the protein. Long cAMP stimulation attenuated HSD3B2 inhibition and increased HSD3B2 expression through transcriptional regulation. Although PKA and MAPK pathways are obvious candidates for possibly transmitting the cAMP signal to HSD3B2, our studies using PKA and MEK1/2 inhibitors revealed no such downstream signaling of cAMP. However, both signaling pathways were clearly regulating HSD3B2 expression.

The functions of key residues in the inhibitor, substrate and cofactor sites of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 are validated by mutagenesis

In postmenopausal women, human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (3β-HSD1) is a critical enzyme in the conversion of DHEA to estradiol in breast tumors, while 3β-HSD2 participates in the production of cortisol and aldosterone in the human adrenal gland. The goals of this project are to determine if Arg195 in 3β-HSD1 vs. Pro195 in 3β-HSD2 in the substrate/inhibitor binding site is a critical structural difference responsible for the higher affinity of 3β-HSD1 for inhibitor and substrate steroids compared to 3β-HSD2 and whether Asp61, Glu192 and Thr8 are fingerprint residues for cofactor and substrate binding using site-directed mutagenesis. The R195P-1 mutant of 3β-HSD1 and the P195R-2 mutant of 3β-HSD2 have been created, expressed, purified and characterized kinetically. Dixon analyses of the inhibition of the R195P-1 mutant, P195R-2 mutant, wild-type 3β-HSD1 and wild-type 3β-HSD2 by trilostane has produced kinetic profiles that show inhibition of 3β-HSD1 by trilostane (Ki=0.10μM, competitive) with a 16-fold lower Ki and different mode than measured for 3β-HSD2 (Ki=1.60μM, noncompetitive). The R195P-1 mutation shifts the high-affinity, competitive inhibition profile of 3β-HSD1 to a low-affinity (trilostane Ki=2.56μM), noncompetitive inhibition profile similar to that of 3β-HSD2 containing Pro195. The P195R-2 mutation shifts the low-affinity, noncompetitive inhibition profile of 3β-HSD2 to a high-affinity (trilostane Ki=0.19μM), competitive inhibition profile similar to that of 3β-HSD1 containing Arg195. Michaelis–Menten kinetics for DHEA, 16β-hydroxy-DHEA and 16α-hydroxy-DHEA substrate utilization by the R195P-1 and P195R-2 enzymes provide further validation for higher affinity binding due to Arg195 in 3β-HSD1. Comparisons of the Michaelis–Menten values of cofactor and substrate for the targeted mutants of 3β-HSD1 (D61N, D61V, E192A, T8A) clarify the functions of these residues as well.

Structure/function of the inhibition of human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and type 2 by trilostane

The human type 1 (placenta, breast tumors) and type 2 (gonads, adrenals) isoforms of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase (3β-HSD) are key enzymes in biosynthesis of all active steroid hormones. Human 3β-HSD1 is a critical enzyme in the conversion of DHEA to estradiol in breast tumors and may be a major target enzyme for the treatment of breast cancer. 3β-HSD2 participates in the production of cortisol and aldosterone in the human adrenal gland. The goals of this project are to evaluate the role of the 2α-cyano group on trilostane (2α-cyano-4α,5α-epoxy-17β-ol-androstane-3-one) and determine which amino acids may be critical for 3β-HSD1 specificity. Trilostane without the 2α-cyano group, 4α,5α-epoxy-testosterone, was synthesized. Using our structural model of 3β-HSD1, trilostane or 4α,5α-epoxy-testosterone was docked in the active site using Autodock 3.0, and the potentially critical residues (Met187 and Ser124) were identified. The M187T and S124T mutants of 3β-HSD1 were created, expressed and purified. Dixon analyses of the inhibition of wild-type 3β-HSD1, 3β-HSD2, M187T and S124T by trilostane and 4α,5α-epoxy-testosterone suggest that the 2α-cyano group of trilostane is anchored by Ser124 in both isoenzymes. Kinetic analyses of cofactor and substrate utilization as well as the inhibition kinetics of M187T and the wild-type enzymes suggest that the 16-fold higher-affinity inhibition of 3β-HSD1 by trilostane may be related to the presence of Met187 in 3β-HSD1 and Thr187 in 3β-HSD2. This structure/function information may lead to the production of more highly specific inhibitors of 3β-HSD1 to block the hormone-dependent growth of breast tumors.

GATA Factors and the Nuclear Receptors, Steroidogenic Factor 1/Liver Receptor Homolog 1, Are Key Mutual Partners in the Regulation of the Human 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Promoter

The human HSD3B2 gene encodes the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4 isomerase type 2 (3beta-HSD2) enzyme that is required for steroid hormone biosynthesis. Mutations in the hHSD3B2 gene are responsible for a form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and male pseudohermaphroditism whereas overexpression of hHSD3B2 has been recently associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Despite the importance of the hHSD3B2 gene, the molecular mechanisms that regulate its expression remain poorly understood. Transcription factors belonging to the GATA family are emerging as novel regulators of steroidogenesis. Indeed, GATA-4 and GATA-6 are abundantly expressed in steroidogenic cells of the gonads and adrenals. We now report that the human HSD3B2 promoter (hHSD3B2), which contains four consensus GATA elements, constitutes an important target for GATA factors. GATA-4 and GATA-6 by themselves are sufficient to activate transcription (up to 15-fold) from a -1073 bp hHSD3B2 promoter fragment and blockade of endogenous GATA expression and/or activity blunts hHSD3B2 promoter activity in steroidogenic cells. Deletion studies showed that the proximal GATA element located at -196 bp is sufficient to confer GATA responsiveness of the hHSD3B2 promoter and is required for full hHSD3B2 promoter activity in steroidogenic cells. Moreover, we report that GATA-4 and GATA-6 can physically interact with the nuclear receptors, steroidogenic factor 1 and liver receptor homolog 1, to synergistically activate hHSD3B2 promoter activity in both homologous and heterologous cells. Aberrant expression of transcription factors essential for hHSD3B2 expression might also be involved in some pathologies/syndromes associated with deregulated hHSD3B2 expression.

Flavonoid inhibition of overexpressed human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II

The inhibitory effects of various flavonoids on human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ 5-Δ 4-isomerase type II (3β-HSD type II), overexpressed in baculovirus, were investigated, and the structure–inhibition relationship was examined. The isoflavone derivatives daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A inhibited 3β-HSD type II activity at a concentration of 10 μM and of these, genistein was the most potent inhibitor. 6-Hydroxyflavone (6-HF), a synthetic flavone, also strongly inhibited 3β-HSD activity but 5-HF, 7-HF and other natural flavones were less potent. Energy minimization structures of the flavonoids, as produced using MOE software, showed that isoflavones and flavones have an almost flat A–C ring structure, and that flavonoids that acted as inhibitors had similar steric structures to DHEA. Genistein, 6-HF and cyanoketone, which is known as a typical 3β-HSD inhibitor, were found to act as competitive inhibitors with K i values of 0.12 μM, 0.19 μM and 0.67 nM, respectively. Furthermore, the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)) values, as calculated using WinMOPAC (Fujitsu, Japan), of the inhibitors were correlated with the IC 50 values ( r 2=0.84). From these results, it appears that inhibitory effects of flavonoids are due to the combination of steric structure and electron affinity between the active center of 3β-HSD type II and the flavonoid molecule.

Polymorphism in exon 4 of the human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I gene ( HSD3B1) and blood pressure

There is growing evidence to the effect that steroid hormones are associated with a complex phenotype of metabolic abnormalities usually referred to as the metabolic syndrome. The 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases/ Δ 4,5-isomerase (3β-HSD) is crucial to the biosynthesis of hormonal steroids, including aldosterone, cortisol, and testosterone. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential impact of a T→C substitution at codon Leu 338 of the type I ( HSD3B1) 3β-HSD gene on obesity, circulating hormones, and estimates of insulin, glucose, and lipid metabolism as well as blood pressure in 284 unrelated Swedish men born in 1944. The subjects were genotyped by using PCR amplification of exon 4 of the HSD3B1 gene followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme BglII. The frequency of allele T was 0.44 and that of allele C 0.56. Homozygotes for the C allele ( n=75) had significantly ( P<0.05) higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared to both heterozygotes ( n=143) and homozygotes for the T allele ( n=45). In addition, the C allele was significantly ( P=0.018) more frequent among subjects with grade 1 hypertension (>140/90 mm Hg) compared to normotensive (<130/85 mm Hg) subjects. These results were all adjusted for the potential confounding effect of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Other measurements such as BMI, WHR, abdominal sagittal diameter, salivary cortisol, total testosterone, serum leptin, fasting insulin and glucose, and serum lipids were not different across the HSD3B1 genotype groups. In conclusion, a T→C polymorphism at codon Leu 338 of exon 4 of the HSD3B1 gene is associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The pathogenic mechanism underlying this association is, however, uncertain from the present data and further studies are warranted.