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Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Feb 2023New insights have been thrown for understanding the significant role of estrogen on various systems of humans. Increasing evidences have determined the significant roles... (Review)
Review
New insights have been thrown for understanding the significant role of estrogen on various systems of humans. Increasing evidences have determined the significant roles of estrogen in female reproductive system. So, the normal synthesis and secretion of estrogen play important roles in maintaining the function of tissues and organs. The ovaries are the main synthetic organs of estrogen. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge of the estrogen synthesis in the ovaries. A series of factors and signaling pathways that regulate the synthesis of estrogen are expounded in detail. Understanding the regulating factors and potential mechanism related to estrogen synthesis will be beneficial for understanding estrogen disorder related diseases and may provide novel therapeutic targets.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ovary; Estrogens; Signal Transduction; Aromatase
PubMed: 35384637
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00932-z -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Mar 2021Severe neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) cannot be predicted. Placental aromatase metabolizes both methadone and buprenorphine and may contribute to the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Severe neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) cannot be predicted. Placental aromatase metabolizes both methadone and buprenorphine and may contribute to the severity of NOWS. To determine whether placental aromatase mRNA expression differs in methadone- or buprenorphine-exposed placentas and is associated with NOWS severity. Prospective multicenter observational cohort study from July 2016 to December 2017. Inclusion: pregnant, ≥18 years old, singleton fetus, nonanomalous, ≥34 weeks at delivery, documented methadone or buprenorphine use. Exclusion: declined sample collection. Severe NOWS is defined as three consecutive Finnegan scores ≥8 or sum of three consecutive scores ≥24 within 72 hours of birth. Finnegan scoring was correlated with placental mRNA expression and compared to umbilical cord drug and metabolite levels. Data were analyzed using descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistics and regression analysis. -Value <.05 was considered significant. Thirty-eight out of 45 (84%) patients were included. Methadone and buprenorphine were used by 29/38 (76%) and 9/38 (24%) of patients, respectively. 19/38 (50%) infants had severe NOWS. Placental aromatase/actin mRNA expression was significantly lower in the placentas of infants with severe NOWS ( = .04). Mean umbilical cord 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP)/methadone ratios were significantly higher in infants with severe NOWS ( = .03). Placental aromatase mRNA expression was weakly to moderately correlated with umbilical cord methadone, buprenorphine, and their metabolite concentrations ( = 0.4-0.8). Placental aromatase mRNA expression was lower and umbilical cord EDDP/methadone ratios were higher in infants with severe NOWS. Additional investigation of placental aromatase in methadone- and buprenorphine-exposed pregnancies is needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Analgesics, Opioid; Aromatase; Buprenorphine; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Methadone; Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; Opiate Substitution Treatment; Opioid-Related Disorders; Placenta; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 31092079
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1612870 -
Experimental & Molecular Medicine Jan 2023Production of estradiol (E2) by the placenta during human pregnancy ensures successful maintenance of placental development and fetal growth by stimulating trophoblast...
Production of estradiol (E2) by the placenta during human pregnancy ensures successful maintenance of placental development and fetal growth by stimulating trophoblast proliferation and the differentiation of cytotrophoblasts into syncytiotrophoblasts. Decreased levels of E2 are closely associated with obstetrical diseases such as preeclampsia (PE) in the clinic. However, the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of placental E2 biosynthesis remain poorly understood. Here, we report that regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) affects E2 levels by regulating aromatase, a rate-limiting enzyme for E2 biosynthesis, by using human trophoblast-derived JEG-3 cells and human placental villus tissues. RGS2 enhanced the protein degradation of the transcription factor heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 1 (HAND1) by suppressing ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14)-mediated deubiquitination of HAND1, resulting in the restoration of HAND1-induced trans-inactivation of the aromatase gene and subsequent increases in E2 levels. However, aromatase bound to RGS2 and repressed RGS2 GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between RGS2 and aromatase expression in clinical normal and preeclamptic placental tissues. Our results uncover a hitherto uncharacterized role of the RGS2-aromatase axis in the regulation of E2 production by human placental trophoblasts, which may pinpoint the molecular pathogenesis and highlight potential biomarkers for related obstetrical diseases.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Trophoblasts; Placenta; Estradiol; Aromatase; Cell Line, Tumor; Pre-Eclampsia; RGS Proteins; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
PubMed: 36653442
DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00927-z -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Jul 2022Aromatase, a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily (encoded by CYP19), is the enzyme responsible for the aromatization of androgens into estrogens which is the last...
Aromatase, a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily (encoded by CYP19), is the enzyme responsible for the aromatization of androgens into estrogens which is the last step of estrogen biosynthesis. It plays an important role in reproduction and sexual development. The aromatase expression in many tissues and organs of different species is shown in the last two decades' investigation. This study was conducted to determine the relative seasonal expression of aromatase mRNA in testis, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate and seminal vesicle of a male goat. The aromatase expression of 16 male goat reproductive organs, slaughtered in the different seasons (n = 4 each season), were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results showed that during the autumn, aromatase mRNA expression of the testis was found to be significantly higher (p < .05) as compared to the spring and summer seasons. Higher aromatase mRNA expression was also found in the epididymis and seminal vesicle organs during the autumn and summer seasons. Interestingly, prostate and vas deferens aromatase mRNA expression during the summer was higher than in other seasons. The aromatase mRNA level analysis revealed that aromatase is expressed in all the examined reproductive organs in which a strong expression signal was detected in the testis and epididymis tissues. This study shows the expression of the aromatase in the goat reproductive organs in the breeding season which resembles other mammals with continuous breeding.
Topics: Animals; Aromatase; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Genitalia, Male; Goats; Male; RNA, Messenger; Seasons
PubMed: 35352399
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14118 -
The European Journal of Neuroscience Nov 2021Estrogens support major brain functions including cognition, reproduction, neuroprotection and sensory processing. Neuroestrogens are synthesized within some brain areas...
Aromatase and nonaromatase neurons in the zebra finch secondary auditory forebrain are indistinct in their song-driven gene induction and intrinsic electrophysiological properties.
Estrogens support major brain functions including cognition, reproduction, neuroprotection and sensory processing. Neuroestrogens are synthesized within some brain areas by the enzyme aromatase and can rapidly modulate local circuit functions, yet the cellular physiology and sensory-response profiles of aromatase neurons are essentially unknown. In songbirds, social and acoustic stimuli drive neuroestrogen elevations in the auditory forebrain caudomedial nidopallium (NCM). In both males and females, neuroestrogens rapidly enhance NCM auditory processing and auditory learning. Estrogen-producing neurons in NCM may therefore exhibit distinguishing profiles for sensory-activation and intrinsic electrophysiology. Here, we explored these questions using both immunocyctochemistry and electrophysiological recordings. Immunoreactivity for aromatase and the immediate early gene EGR1, a marker of activity and plasticity, were quantified in NCM of song-exposed animals versus silence-exposed controls. Using whole-cell patch clamp recordings from NCM slices, we also documented the intrinsic excitability profiles of aromatase-positive and aromatase-negative neurons. We observed that a subset of aromatase neurons were significantly activated during song playback, in both males and females, and in both hemispheres. A comparable population of non-aromatase-expressing neurons were also similarly driven by song stimulation. Membrane properties (i.e., resting membrane potential, rheobase, input resistance and multiple action potential parameters) were similarly indistinguishable between NCM aromatase and non-aromatase neurons. Together, these findings demonstrate that aromatase and non-aromatase neurons in NCM are indistinct in terms of their intrinsic electrophysiology and responses to song. Nevertheless, such similarities in response properties may belie more subtle differences in underlying conductances and/or computational roles that may be crucial to their function.
Topics: Animals; Aromatase; Auditory Cortex; Estradiol; Female; Finches; Male; Neurons; Prosencephalon; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 34535925
DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15463 -
Biology of Sex Differences Sep 2023Aromatase catalyzes the synthesis of estrogens from androgens. Knowledge on its regional expression in the brain is of relevance to the behavioral implications of these...
BACKGROUND
Aromatase catalyzes the synthesis of estrogens from androgens. Knowledge on its regional expression in the brain is of relevance to the behavioral implications of these hormones that might be linked to sex differences in mental health. The present study investigated the distribution of cells expressing the aromatase coding gene (Cyp19a1) in limbic regions of young adult rats of both sexes, and characterized the cell types expressing this gene.
METHODS
Cyp19a1 mRNA was mapped using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Co-expression with specific cell markers was assessed with double FISH; glutamatergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, glial, monoaminergic, as well as interneuron markers were tested. Automated quantification of the cells expressing the different genes was performed using CellProfiler. Sex differences in the number of cells expressing Cyp19a1 was tested non-parametrically, with the effect size indicated by the rank-biserial correlation. FDR correction for multiple testing was applied.
RESULTS
In the male brain, the highest percentage of Cyp19a1 cells was found in the medial amygdaloid nucleus and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, followed by the medial preoptic area, the CA2/3 fields of the hippocampus, the cortical amygdaloid nucleus and the amygdalo-hippocampal area. A lower percentage was detected in the caudate putamen, the nucleus accumbens, and the ventromedial hypothalamus. In females, the distribution of Cyp19a1 cells was similar but at a lower percentage. In most regions, the majority of Cyp19a1 cells were GABAergic, except for in the cortical-like regions of the amygdala where most were glutamatergic. A smaller fraction of cells co-expressed Slc1a3, suggesting expression of Cyp19a1 in astrocytes; monoaminergic markers were not co-expressed. Moreover, sex differences were detected regarding the identity of Cyp19a1 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Females show overall a lower number of cells expressing Cyp19a1 in the limbic brain. In both sexes, aromatase is expressed in a region-specific manner in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons. These findings call for investigations of the relevance of sex-specific and region-dependent expression of Cyp19a1 in the limbic brain to sex differences in behavior and mental health.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Rats; Sex Characteristics; Aromatase; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Neuroglia; Brain
PubMed: 37658400
DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00541-8 -
Gene Nov 2022The genes coding for Cytochrome P450 aromatase (cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b) and estrogen (E) receptors (esr1, esr2a and esr2b) play a conserved role in ovarian...
The genes coding for Cytochrome P450 aromatase (cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b) and estrogen (E) receptors (esr1, esr2a and esr2b) play a conserved role in ovarian differentiation and development among teleosts. Classically, the "gonad form" of aromatase, coded by the cyp19a1a, is responsible for the ovarian differentiation in genetic females via ligation and activation of the Esr, which mediates the endocrine and exocrine signaling to allow or block the establishment of the feminine phenotype. However, in neotropical species, studies on the molecular and endocrine processes involved in gonad differentiation as well as on the effects of sex modulators are recent and scarce. In this study, we combined in silico analysis, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and quantification of E plasma levels of differentiating tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) to unveil the roles of the paralogs cypa19a1a and cyp19a1b during sex differentiation. Although the synteny of each gene is very conserved among characids, the genomic environment displays striking differences in comparison to model teleost species, with many rearrangements in cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b adjacencies and transposable element traces in both regulatory regions. The high dissimilarity (DI) of SF-1 binding motifs in cyp19a1a (DI = 10.06 to 14.90 %) and cyp19a1b (DI = 8.41 to 13.50 %) regulatory region, respectively, may reflect in an alternative pathway in tambaqui. Indeed, while low transcription of cyp19a1a was detected prior to sex differentiation, the expression of cyp19a1b and esr2a presented a large variation at this phase, which could be associated with sex-specific differential expression. Histological analysis revealed that anti-estradiol treatments did not affect gonadal sex ratios, although Fadrozole (50 mg kg of food) reduced E plasma levels (p < 0,005) as well cyp19a1a transcription; and tamoxifen (200 mg kg of food) down regulated both cyp19a1a and cyp19a1b but did not influence E levels. Altogether, our results bring into light new insights about the evolutionary fate of cyp19a1 paralogs in neotropical fish, which may have generated uncommon roles for the gonadal and brain forms of cyp19a1 genes and the unexpected lack of effect of endocrine disruptors on tambaqui sexual differentiation.
Topics: Animals; Aromatase; Characiformes; Female; Gonads; Male; Phylogeny; Sex Differentiation
PubMed: 35961435
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146795 -
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology Dec 2022An appropriate balance between testicular testosterone and estradiol is required for spermatogenesis. Excess estradiol is often identified in the semen and serum of...
An appropriate balance between testicular testosterone and estradiol is required for spermatogenesis. Excess estradiol is often identified in the semen and serum of infertile men; however, the mechanisms behind this observation remain unclear. This study indicates the relationship between heat stress and aromatase synthesis in Leydig cells. We used R2C rat Leydig tumor cells, which can synthesize both testosterone and estradiol. Aromatase transcription was regulated by the PⅡ promoter with or without heat stress. Heat stress at 40 °C increased aromatase expression and decreased testosterone to estradiol ratio and nuclear DAX-1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1), which is a suppressor of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1). Leptomycin B and KPT-185, a nuclear export inhibitor, prevented nuclear DAX-1 deficiency induced by heat stress and inhibited aromatase transcription. These results indicate that heat stress interferes with DAX-1-SF-1 interaction and induces SF-1-dependent aromatase transcription.
Topics: Male; Rats; Animals; Steroidogenic Factor 1; Aromatase; Transcription Factors; DNA-Binding Proteins; DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor; Testosterone; Heat-Shock Response; Estradiol
PubMed: 36075317
DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111766 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2021Aromatase is a key enzyme in the transformation of androgen into estrogen. Its high expression will destroy the hormonal balance in the male body, and the excessive... (Review)
Review
Aromatase is a key enzyme in the transformation of androgen into estrogen. Its high expression will destroy the hormonal balance in the male body, and the excessive transformation of androgen into estrogen in the body will further damage the spermatogenic function of the testis, affect the normal development of the sperm, and cause spermatogenic disturbance. Adipose tissue has a high expression of aromatase and shows high enzymatic activity and ability to convert estrogen. Adipose tissue is the most estrogen-producing nongonadal tissue in the body because of its large size, accounting for about 20% of the body mass in healthy adults. PPAR is recognized as the key adipose differentiation in the transcriptional regulation of the transcription factor. In the process of adipocyte differentiation, PPAR regulate the expression of aromatase. The increase of aromatase is associated with the inflammatory response in adipose tissue caused by obesity. After obesity, the increase of proinflammatory factors in adipocytes will lead to enhanced transcription of the CYP19 gene encoding aromatase in adipocytes, which in turn will lead to increased expression of aromatase in adipocytes. This article reviews the regulation of male sterility from the angle of the "obesity-inflammation-aromatase" axis.
Topics: Animals; Aromatase; Biomedical Research; Humans; Infertility, Male; Inflammation; Male; Models, Biological; Obesity
PubMed: 33628365
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6612796 -
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and... Dec 2019Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are currently the main molecules prescribed to pregnant women that suffer from depression. Placental cells are exposed to SRIs via...
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are currently the main molecules prescribed to pregnant women that suffer from depression. Placental cells are exposed to SRIs via maternal blood, and we have previously shown that SRIs alter feto-placental steroidogenesis in an in vitro co-culture model. More specifically, serotonin (5-HT) regulates the estrogen biosynthetic enzyme aromatase (cytochrome P450 19; CYP19), which is disrupted by fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. Based on molecular simulations, the present study illustrates that the SRIs fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram and venlafaxine exhibit binding affinity for the active-site pocket of CYP19, suggesting potential competitive inhibition. Using BeWo cells and primary villous trophoblast cells isolated from normal term placentas, we compared the effects of the SRIs on CYP19 activity. We observed that paroxetine and sertraline induce aromatase activity in BeWo cells, while venlafaxine, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline decrease aromatase activity in primary villous trophoblast. The effects of paroxetine and sertraline in primary villous trophoblasts were observed at the lower doses tested. We also showed that 5-HT and the 5-HT receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) induced CYP19 activity. An increase in phosphorylation of serine and tyrosine and a decrease in threonine phosphorylation of CYP19 was also associated with DOI treatment. Our results contribute to better understanding how 5-HT and SRIs interact with CYP19 and may affect estrogen production. Moreover, this study suggests that alteration of placental 5-HT levels due to depression and/or SRI treatment during pregnancy may be associated with disruption of placental estrogen production.
Topics: Aromatase; Cells, Cultured; Citalopram; Female; Fluoxetine; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Paroxetine; Placenta; Pregnancy; Serotonin; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sertraline; Trophoblasts; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
PubMed: 31509772
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105470