• 환경생물
• /
• 제21권3호
• /
• pp.308-312
• /
• 2003

Various pesticides known or suspected to interfere with steroid hormone function were screened toy effects in leydig cells on catalytic activity and mRNA expression of aromatase. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a widespread environmental pollutant. In this study, we investigated the effect of DDT on testosterone production through aromatase activity and its molecular mechanism in testicular leydig cell, R2C by using radioimmunoassay (RIA). As the results, the potent leydig: cell activator LH increased testosterone production compared to the control. DDT exposure significantly decreased testosterone production in R2C cell. In addition, DDT was found to increase aromatase gene expression and activity in R2C cell in a dose dependent manner. In order to assess whether the suppressive effects of DDT on LH-inducible testosterone (T) production might be influenced by the ER, ICI 182.780 was used, and it was found that these inhibitory effects of DDT were antagonized by ICI 182.780, implying that the estrogen receptor (ER) mediates the suppressive effects of DDT. Furthermore, the inducible effects of DDT on aromatase gene expression might be influenced by the ER, ICI 182.780 was used, and it was found that these enhancing effects of DDT were antagonized by ICI 182.780, implying that the ER mediates the inducible effects of DDT. Our results indicated that DDT inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) -inducible T production in R2C cell is mediated through aromatase. However, the precise mechanisms by which DDT enhance in R2C cell remains unknown. The current study suggests the possibility that DDT might act as a modulator aromatase gene transcription.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제46권3호
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 2023

It has been addressed that heat stress due to high atmospheric temperature during summer in Korea induces impaired release of reproductive hormones, followed by occurring abnormal ovarian cyclicity, lower pregnancy ratio, and reduced litter size. Therefore, the present study attempted to compare seasonal change (spring versus summer) of the ovarian aromatase expression, an enzyme for converting testosterone into estrogen. While serum estrogen level in summer group was significantly lower than that of spring group, testosterone was not different between groups. Consistent with estrogen level, the ovarian aromatase expression in summer at follicular phase was significantly lower than the counterpart of spring. The ovarian aromatase expression was positively related with serum estrogen level significantly (r=0.689; P=0.008) and strongly negative correlation was identified (r=-0.533; P=0.078) with atmospheric temperature. The ovarian aromatase expression was not detected in immature ovarian follicles but specifically localized in the granulosa cell layers in both seasons. However, the aromatase intensity in the granulosa cell layers was stronger in spring than summer. Because testosterone level was not different between groups, it could be concluded that the lower level of estrogen during summer might be derived by not lack of substrate but lower expression of ovarian aromatase by heat stress.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권15호
• /
• pp.6317-6325
• /
• 2015

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is a popular phytomedicine and has been used for disorders of the central nervous system, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and circulatory diseases. Although GBE is a complex mixture of over 300 compounds, its major components are 24% flavonoids and 6% terpene lactones. In this study, we tested the inhibitory effects of the three major flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin) from GBE, independently and as mixtures, on aromatase activity using JEG-3 cells (human placental cells) and recombinant proteins (human placental microsome). In both systems, kaempferol showed the strongest inhibitory effects among the three flavonoids; the flavanoid mixtures exerted increased inhibitory effects. The results of exon I.1-driven luciferase reporter gene assays supported the increased inhibitory effects of flavonoid mixtures, accompanied by suppression of estrogen biosynthesis. In the RT-PCR analysis, decreased patterns of aromatase promoter I.1 mRNA expressions were observed, which were similar to the aromatase inhibition patterns of flavonoids and their mixtures. The present study demonstrated that three flavonoids synergistically inhibit estrogen biosynthesis through aromatase inhibition, decrease CYP19 mRNA, and induce transcriptional suppression. Our results support the usefulness of flavonoids in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer by reducing estrogen levels with reduced adverse effects due to estrogen depletion.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제18권4호
• /
• pp.503-508
• /
• 2008

동해 해양심층수의 유방암예방 효능과 전이에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 cytochrome P450 1A1 활성과 aromatase 활성 및 유방암세포의 침윤성, 이와 관련된 MMP-9 의 활성과 그 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 해양심층수는 체내외의 여러 화학물질을 체내에서 활성화시켜 발암이나 돌연변이 등을 유발시키는 것으로 알려진 cytochrome P450 1A1을 경도의존적으로 저해시켰다. 또한 호르몬 의존성 유방암의 진행에 관여하는 aromatase의 활성도 경도의존적으로 저해시켰다($5.6{\sim}51.9%$). 해양심층수 처리에 의해 사람유방암세포인 MDA-MB-231 세포의 침윤성은 $73.7{\sim}29.4%$로 감소하였으며, 세포의 침윤시 작용하는 단백질 분해 효소인 MMP-9의 활성과 단백질 발현도 경도의존적으로 억제되었다. 따라서 해양심층수는 유방암 예방과 전이관련의 더 많은 연구에 의해 유방암 예방과 전이 억제작용을 증명할 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2023

Although increasing evidence of cause-and-effect relationship between BPA exposure and female reproductive disorders have been suggested through many studies, the precise biochemical and molecular mechanism(s) by which BPA interferes with steroidogenesis in the ovarian cells still remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discover the steroidogenic biomarker(s) associated with BPA treatment in human granulosa cell line, KGN. In this study, our results obtained via the analysis of steroidogenesis-related protein expression in KGN cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analyses revealed that the expression levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and aromatase decreased considerably and gradually after BPA treatment in a dose-dependent manner under BPA treatment. Further, remarkable decreases in their expression levels at the cellular levels were also confirmed via immunocytochemistry, and subsequent StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels showed profiles similar to those observed for their proteins, i.e., both StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased under BPA treatment at concentrations ≥0.1 μM. We observed that follicle stimulating hormone upregulated StAR and aromatase protein expression levels; however, this effect was suppressed in the presence of BPA. Regarding the steroidogenic effects of BPA on KGN cells, controversies remain regarding the ultimate outcomes. Nevertheless, we believe that the results here presented imply that KGN cells have a good cellular and steroidogenic machinery for evaluating endocrine disruption. Therefore, StAR and aromatase could be stable and sensitive biomarkers in KGN cells for the cellular screening of the potential risk posed by exogenous and environmental chemicals to female reproductive (endocrine) function.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국동물번식학회 2004년도 춘계학술발표대회
• /
• pp.196-196
• /
• 2004

By use of RT-PCR coupled with DHPLC technique (WAVE analysis), pattern of isoforms of porcine cytochrome P450 aromatase gene was investigated. Relatively higher expression of aromatase mRNA was observed in testis than in ovary and this result accounted for the previous findings of higher blood estrogen level in male compared with female in this species. (omitted)

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제16권4호
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2001

Endocrine disruption in crucian carp (Carassius auratus) living in the branch of Han River were examined. Vitellogenin level in plasma was measured using ELISA system and aromatase mRNA level in brain was observed using RT-PCR technique. In all female fish, vitellogenin levels were in the range of 20∼40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and aromatase mRNA expression could be detected on the agarose gel after RT-PCR. However, in case of males, vitellogenin level was elevated in only one fish, while vitellogenin was hardly detected in others. Aromatase was expressed in all males although the levels were relatively lower than the level in female fish. Testis-ova and any other histological changes of reproductive organ were not shown in both sexes.

• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국독성학회 2003년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
• /
• pp.70-71
• /
• 2003

Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), is a widespread environmental pollutant. In this study, we investigated the effect of DDT on testosterone production through aromatase and investigated its molecular mechanism in testicular leydig cell, R2C. We investigated that the effects of DDT on testosterone production and its effects on aromatase activity in R2C cell by radio immunoassay (RIA). (omitted)

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.309-312
• /
• 1999

In searching for potent cancer chemopreventive agents from synthetic or natural products, 28 randomly selected flavonoids were screened for inhibitory effects against partially purified aromatase prepared form human placenta. Over 50% of the flavonoids significantly inhibited aromatase activity, with greatest activity being demonstrated with apigenin $(IC_{50}: 0.9{\mu}/mL)$, chrysin $(IC_{50}: 1.1{\mu}/mL)$ , and hesperetin $(IC_{50}:1.0{\mu}/mL)$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제20권12호
• /
• pp.1832-1842
• /
• 2007

Cytochrome P450 aromatase is responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen. It is also responsible for the endogenous production of 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone), an anabolic androgen unique to pigs. Plasma concentrations of 19-nortestosterone are highest between two and four weeks after birth in male pigs. In the present study, the physiology of 19-nortestosterone was investigated by measuring the mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes, estrogen receptors and androgen receptor in the tissues of growing pigs. The expression of aromatase, 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testes of male piglets increased between birth and two weeks of age, and then decreased progressively. Similar developmental expressional patterns were observed for 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovaries of female piglets, but without significant aromatase expression. The major form of aromatase expressed in the testes of piglets was identified as type I. Expression of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$and androgen receptor genes was also detected in both testes and ovaries. A transient elevation of androgen receptor mRNA in male piglets at two weeks of age was also observed in testes. Significant expression of the androgen receptor gene, but not of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$ genes, was also demonstrated in adipose tissue and muscle. We conclude that the observed increase in the testicular expression of aromatase in male pigs could account for the production of large amounts of 19-nortestosterone at between two and four weeks of age in males. Androgen receptor and 19-nortestosterone appeared to be important for testicular development and might contribute to sexual dimorphism in body composition and muscle development in juvenile pigs.