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Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology May 2024Organotins have been widely used in various industrial applications. This study investigated the structure-activity relationship as inhibitors of human, pig, and rat...
Organotins have been widely used in various industrial applications. This study investigated the structure-activity relationship as inhibitors of human, pig, and rat gonadal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSD). Human KGN cell, pig, and rat testis microsomes were utilized to assess the inhibitory effects of 18 organotins on the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. Among them, diphenyltin, triethyltin, and triphenyltin exhibited significant inhibitory activity against human 3β-HSD2 with IC values of 114.79, 106.98, and 5.40 μM, respectively. For pig 3β-HSD, dipropyltin, diphenyltin, triethyltin, tributyltin, and triphenyltin demonstrated inhibitory effects with IC values of 172.00, 100.19, 87.00, 5.75, and 1.65 μM, respectively. Similarly, for rat 3β-HSD1, dipropyltin, diphenyltin, triethyltin, tributyltin, and triphenyltin displayed inhibitory activity with IC values of 81.35, 43.56, 55.55, 4.09, and 0.035 μM, respectively. They were mixed inhibitors of pig and rat 3β-HSD, while triphenyltin was identified as a competitive inhibitor of human 3β-HSD2. The mechanism underlying the inhibition of organotins on 3β-HSD was explored, revealing that they may disrupt the enzyme activity by binding to cysteine residues in the catalytic sites. This proposition was supported by the observation that the addition of dithiothreitol reversed the inhibition caused by all organotins except for triethyltin, which was partially reversed. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the structure-activity relationship of organotins as inhibitors of human, pig, and rat gonadal 3β-HSD. The mechanistic investigation suggests that these compounds likely exert their inhibitory effects through binding to cysteine residues in the catalytic sites.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Structure-Activity Relationship; Organotin Compounds; Rats; Male; Testis; Enzyme Inhibitors; Swine; 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; Molecular Docking Simulation; Progesterone; Microsomes; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 38692360
DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116942 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jul 2024Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a typical environmental endocrine disruptor and a new persistent organic pollutant, has been extensively used as a pesticide worldwide. Although...
Pentachlorophenol (PCP), a typical environmental endocrine disruptor and a new persistent organic pollutant, has been extensively used as a pesticide worldwide. Although its use has been restricted for decades, PCP remains prevalent in both the environment and human bodies. Despite the known endocrine-disrupting and exogenous hormonal effects of PCP, few epidemiological studies examined such impact, especially among sensitive populations and during critical periods. Based on a prospective birth cohort in Wuhan, China, we collected maternal (first trimester; 13.0 ± 1.02 gestational weeks) and infant urine samples (1.16 ± 0.22 months postpartum) from 720 mother-infant pairs. We aimed to examine the association of PCP exposure during early pregnancy with maternal and infant urinary sex steroid hormones, including estrogens (estrone, E1; estradiol, E2; estriol, E3), progestogens (progesterone, P4; pregnenolone, P5; 17α-OH-Progesterone, 17OHP4; 17α-OH-Pregnenolone, 17OHP5), and androgens (testosterone, Testo; dihydrotestosterone, DHT; dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA; androstenedione, A4). Additionally, gonadotropins [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)] were measured in infant urine. Detection frequencies of all the sex steroid hormones in the maternal urine samples (>99 %) were higher than those in the infants' [most ≥80 %, except for E1 (3.36 %) and E2 (21.4 %)]. Maternal urinary PCP concentration was found to be significantly related with increased maternal sex steroid hormone concentrations; each interquartile increase in PCP concentration was positively related with percent change of the hormones (%Δ) ranging from 26.6 % to 48.5 %. On the other hand, maternal PCP exposure was associated with significantly increased P4 in male infants [%Δ (95 % confidence interval): 10.5 (0.56, 21.4)] but slightly decreased P4 in female infants [-11.9 (-21.8, 0.68)]. In addition, maternal PCP exposure was significantly associated with decreased FSH [%Δ (95 % CI): -9.90 (-17.0, -2.18)] and LH [-8.44 (-16.0, -0.19)] in the female infants, but not in the male infants. Sensitivity analyses, excluding infertility related treatment, pregnancy complications, preterm birth, or low birth weight, showed generally consistent results. Our findings implied that maternal/prenatal PCP exposure might disrupt the homeostasis of maternal and infant reproductive hormones. However, further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Pentachlorophenol; China; Maternal Exposure; Adult; Endocrine Disruptors; Infant; Male; Infant, Newborn; Environmental Pollutants; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 38670355
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172723 -
Current Opinion in Neurology Jun 2024To provide an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in autoimmune encephalitides mediated by antibodies against neuronal surface antigens, with a focus on NMDAR... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To provide an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in autoimmune encephalitides mediated by antibodies against neuronal surface antigens, with a focus on NMDAR and LGI1 encephalitis.
RECENT FINDINGS
In antibody-mediated encephalitides, binding of IgG antibodies to neuronal surface antigens results in different pathogenic effects depending on the type of antibody, IgG subclass and epitope specificity. NMDAR IgG1 antibodies cause crosslinking and internalization of the target, synaptic and brain circuitry alterations, as well as alterations of NMDAR expressing oligodendrocytes, suggesting a link with white matter lesions observed in MRI studies. LGI1 IgG4 antibodies, instead, induce neuronal dysfunction by disrupting the interaction with cognate proteins and altering AMPAR-mediated signaling. In-vitro findings have been corroborated by memory and behavioral changes in animal models obtained by passive transfer of patients' antibodies or active immunization. These models have been fundamental to identify targets for innovative therapeutic strategies, aimed at counteracting or preventing antibody effects, such as the use of soluble ephrin-B2, NMDAR modulators (e.g., pregnenolone, SGE-301) or chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells (CAART) in models of NMDAR encephalitis.
SUMMARY
A deep understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying antibody-mediated encephalitides is crucial for the development of new therapeutic approaches targeting brain autoimmunity.
Topics: Humans; Encephalitis; Animals; Autoantibodies; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Hashimoto Disease; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Proteins
PubMed: 38667756
DOI: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000001270 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Jun 2024Aggression is a crucial behavior that impacts access to limited resources in different environmental contexts. Androgens synthesized by the gonads promote aggression...
Aggression is a crucial behavior that impacts access to limited resources in different environmental contexts. Androgens synthesized by the gonads promote aggression during the breeding season. However, aggression can be expressed during the non-breeding season, despite low androgen synthesis by the gonads. The brain can also synthesize steroids ("neurosteroids"), including androgens, which might promote aggression during the non-breeding season. Male song sparrows, , are territorial year-round and allow the study of seasonal changes in the steroid modulation of aggression. Here, we quantified steroids following a simulated territorial intrusion (STI) for 10 min in wild adult male song sparrows during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we examined 11 steroids: pregnenolone, progesterone, corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 17β-estradiol, 17α-estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Steroids were measured in blood and 10 microdissected brain regions that regulate social behavior. In both seasons, STI increased corticosterone in the blood and brain. In the breeding season, STI had no rapid effects on androgens or estrogens. Intriguingly, in the non-breeding season, STI increased testosterone and androstenedione in several behaviorally relevant regions, but not in the blood, where androgens remained non-detectable. Also in the non-breeding season, STI increased progesterone in the blood and specific brain regions. Overall, rapid socially modulated changes in brain steroid levels are more prominent during the non-breeding season. Brain steroid levels vary with season and social context in a region-specific manner and suggest a role for neuroandrogens in aggression during the non-breeding season.
Topics: Animals; Male; Seasons; Aggression; Androgens; Brain; Sparrows; Territoriality; Songbirds
PubMed: 38658166
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1095-23.2024 -
ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 2024Neuroactive steroids are a group of steroid molecules that are involved in the regulation of functions of the nervous system. The nervous system is not only the site of...
Neuroactive steroids are a group of steroid molecules that are involved in the regulation of functions of the nervous system. The nervous system is not only the site of their action, but their biosynthesis can also occur there. Neuroactive steroid levels depend not only on the physiological state of an individual (person's sex, age, diurnal variation, etc.), but they are also affected by various pathological processes in the nervous system (some neurological and psychiatric diseases or injuries), and new knowledge can be gained by monitoring these processes. The aim of our research was to develop and validate a comprehensive method for the simultaneous determination of selected steroids with neuroactive effects in human serum. The developed method enables high throughput and a sensitive quantitative analysis of nine neuroactive steroid substances (pregnenolone, progesterone, 5α-dihydroprogesterone, allopregnanolone, testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and epiandrosterone) in 150 μL of human serum by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The correlation coefficients above 0.999 indicated that the developed analytical procedure was linear in the range of 0.90 nmol/L to 28.46 μmol/L in human serum. The accuracy and precision of the method for all analytes ranged from 83 to 118% and from 0.9 to 14.1%, respectively. This described method could contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of various diseases. Similarly, it can also be helpful in the search for new biomarkers and diagnostic options or therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Humans; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Neurosteroids; Steroids; Male; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38655788
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00824 -
Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry :... Apr 2024Extracellular acidic conditions impair cellular activities; however, some cancer cells drive cellular signaling to adapt to the acidic environment. It remains unclear...
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Extracellular acidic conditions impair cellular activities; however, some cancer cells drive cellular signaling to adapt to the acidic environment. It remains unclear how ovarian cancer cells sense changes in extracellular pH. This study was aimed at characterizing acid-inducible currents in an ovarian cancer cell line and evaluating the involvement of these currents in cell viability.
METHODS
The biophysical and pharmacological properties of membrane currents in OV2944, a mouse ovarian cancer cell line, were studied using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Viability of this cell type in acidic medium was evaluated using the MTT assay.
RESULTS
OV2944 had significant acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying (ASOR) Cl currents at a pH of 5.3. The ASOR current was blocked by pregnenolone sulfate (PS), a steroid ion channel modulator that blocks the ASOR channel as one of its targets. The viability of the cells was reduced after exposure to an acidic medium (pH 5.3) but was slightly restored upon PS administration.
CONCLUSION
These results offer first evidence for the presence of ASOR Cl channel in ovarian cancer cells and indicate its involvement in cell viability under acidic environment.
Topics: Animals; Female; Mice; Ovarian Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Pregnenolone; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Cell Survival; Chloride Channels; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Membrane Potentials
PubMed: 38643508
DOI: 10.33594/000000692 -
BMC Cancer Apr 2024Prostate cancer (PCa) is becoming the most common malignancy in men worldwide. We investigated the effect of astragaloside IV combined with PESV on the gut microbiota...
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (PCa) is becoming the most common malignancy in men worldwide. We investigated the effect of astragaloside IV combined with PESV on the gut microbiota and metabolite of PCa mice and the process of treating PCa.
METHODS
Nude mice were genetically modified to develop tumors characteristic of PCa. The treatment of PCa mice involved the administration of a combination of astragaloside IV and peptides derived from scorpion venom (PESV). Feces were collected for both 16 S rDNA and metabolic analysis. Fecal supernatant was extracted and used for fecal transplantation in PCa mice. Tumor development was observed in both PCa mice and nude mice. Tumor histopathology was examined, and the expression of inflammatory factors and the AGE-RAGE axis in PCa tissues were analyzed.
RESULTS
PCa mice treated with Astragaloside IV in combination with PESV showed a significant reduction in tumor volume and weight, and stabilization of gut microbiota and metabolites. At the Genus level, significant differences were observed in Porphyromonas, Corynebacterium, Arthromitus and Blautia, and the differential metabolites were PA16_016_0, Astragaloside+, Vitamin A acid, Nardosinone, a-Nortestoster, D-Pantethine, Hypoxanthine, Pregnenolone, cinnamic acid, Pyridoxa, Cirtruline and Xanthurenate. There was a correlation between gut microbiota and metabolites. After the fecal transplantation, tumor growth was effectively suppressed in the PCa mice. Notably, both the mRNA and protein levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were significantly decreased. Furthermore, the expression of inflammatory factors, namely NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6, in the tumor tissues was significantly attenuated. Conversely, upregulation of RAGE led to increased inflammation and reversed tumor growth in the mice.
CONCLUSION
Astragaloside IV combined with PESV could treat PCa by intervening in gut microbiota composition and metabolite by targeting RAGE.
Topics: Male; Humans; Animals; Mice; Mice, Nude; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Liver Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Homeostasis; Saponins; Triterpenes
PubMed: 38622523
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12167-z -
Microbial Cell Factories Apr 2024Pregnenolone and progesterone are the life-important steroid hormones regulating essential vital functions in mammals, and widely used in different fields of medicine....
BACKGROUND
Pregnenolone and progesterone are the life-important steroid hormones regulating essential vital functions in mammals, and widely used in different fields of medicine. Microbiological production of these compounds from sterols is based on the use of recombinant strains expressing the enzyme system cholesterol hydroxylase/C20-C22 lyase (CH/L) of mammalian steroidogenesis. However, the efficiency of the known recombinant strains is still low. New recombinant strains and combination approaches are now needed to produce these steroid hormones.
RESULTS
Based on Mycolicibacterium smegmatis, a recombinant strain was created that expresses the steroidogenesis system (CYP11A1, adrenodoxin reductase, adrenodoxin) of the bovine adrenal cortex. The recombinant strain transformed cholesterol and phytosterol to form progesterone among the metabolites. When 3-methoxymethyl ethers of sterols were applied as bioconversion substrates, the corresponding 3-ethers of pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were identified as major metabolites. Under optimized conditions, the recombinant strain produced 85.2 ± 4.7 mol % 3-methoxymethyl-pregnenolone within 48 h, while production of 3-substituted DHEA was not detected. After the 3-methoxymethyl function was deprotected by acid hydrolysis, crystalline pregnenolone was isolated in high purity (over 98%, w/w). The structures of steroids were confirmed using TLC, HPLC, MS and H- and C-NMR analyses.
CONCLUSION
The use of mycolicybacteria as a microbial platform for the expression of systems at the initial stage of mammalian steroidogenesis ensures the production of valuable steroid hormones-progesterone and pregnenolone from cholesterol. Selective production of pregnenolone from cholesterol is ensured by the use of 3-substituted cholesterol as a substrate and optimization of the conditions for its bioconversion. The results open the prospects for the generation of the new microbial biocatalysts capable of effectively producing value-added steroid hormones.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Progesterone; Pregnenolone; Sterols; Steroids; Cholesterol; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; Phytosterols; Mammals; Ethers
PubMed: 38594656
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02385-2 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Pregnenolone is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of many steroid hormones and neuroprotective steroids. Sulfotransferase family cytosolic 2B member 1 (SULT2B1a)...
Pregnenolone is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of many steroid hormones and neuroprotective steroids. Sulfotransferase family cytosolic 2B member 1 (SULT2B1a) has been reported to be highly selective to sulfate pregnenolone. This study aimed to clarify the effect of missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human SULT2B1 gene on the sulfating activity of coded SULT2B1a allozymes toward Pregnenolone. To investigate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the SULT2B1 gene on the sulfation of pregnenolone by SULT2B1a allozymes, 13 recombinant SULT2B1a allozymes were generated, expressed, and purified using established procedures. Human SULT2B1a SNPs were identified by a comprehensive database search. 13 SULT2B1a nonsynonymous missense coding SNPs (cSNPs) were selected, and site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate the corresponding cDNAs, packaged in pGEX-2TK expression vector, encoding these 13 SULT2B1a allozymes, which were bacterially expressed in BL21 E. coli cells and purified by glutathione-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Purified SULT2B1a allozymes were analyzed for sulfating activities towards pregnenolone. In comparison with the wild-type SULT2B1a, of the 13 allozymes, 11 showed reduced activity toward pregnenolone at 0.1 µM. Specifically, P134L and R259Q allozymes, reported to be involved in autosomal-recessive congenital ichthyosis, displayed low activity (1-10%) toward pregnenolone. The findings of this study may demonstrate the impact of genetic polymorphism on the sulfation of pregnenolone in individuals with different SULT2B1 genotypes.
Topics: Humans; Pregnenolone; Isoenzymes; Escherichia coli; Sulfotransferases; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 38580665
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56303-y -
Chemico-biological Interactions May 2024Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in animals and humans. There is growing...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in animals and humans. There is growing evidence that PFAS exposure adversely impacts neurodevelopment and neurological health. Steroid 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1) plays a key role in neurosteroidogenesis by catalyzing the conversion of testosterone or pregnenolone to neuroactive steroids, which influence neural development, cognition, mood, and behavior. This study investigated the inhibitory strength and binding interactions of 18 PFAS on human and rat SRD5A1 activity using enzyme assays, molecular docking, and structure-activity relationship analysis. Results revealed that C9-C14 PFAS carboxylic acid at 100 μM significantly inhibited human SRD5A1, with IC values ranged from 10.99 μM (C11) to 105.01 μM (C14), and only one PFAS sulfonic acid (C8S) significantly inhibited human SRD5A1 activity, with IC value of 8.15 μM. For rat SRD5A1, C9-C14 PFAS inhibited rat SRD5A1, showing the similar trend, depending on carbon number of the carbon chain. PFAS inhibit human and rat SRD5A1 in a carbon chain length-dependent manner, with optimal inhibition around C11. Kinetic studies indicated PFAS acted through mixed inhibition. Molecular docking revealed PFAS bind to the domain between NADPH and testosterone binding site of both SRD5A1 enzymes. Inhibitory potency correlated with physicochemical properties like carbon number of the carbon chain. These findings suggest PFAS may disrupt neurosteroid synthesis and provide insight into structure-based inhibition of SRD5A1.
Topics: 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; Animals; Humans; Rats; Molecular Docking Simulation; Structure-Activity Relationship; Membrane Proteins; Fluorocarbons; Protein Binding; Carbon; Binding Sites
PubMed: 38574835
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110987