title: Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 expression in ovine adrenocortical cells.
abstract: The maintenance of optimal steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells primarily depends on the chronic action of ACTH to promote the synthesis of the various steroid-metabolizing cytochrome P-450 enzymes. In the steroidogenic pathway, 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-450(17) alpha) is a key enzyme controlling the formation of cortisol and androgens. Recently, we demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) is a potent inhibitor of steroid production in ovine adrenocortical cells. In the present study we used a polyclonal antibody to P450(17) alpha to determine adrenal cell P-450(17) alpha enzyme content by Western analysis. In addition, we used a cDNA probe encoding for bovine P-450(17) alpha mRNA to determine levels of P-450(17) alpha mRNA in sheep ovarian adrenocortical cells in primary culture. When cells were cultured in a serum-free medium in the presence of ACTH for 48 h, P-450(17) alpha activity, enzyme content, and mRNA levels for P-450(17) alpha increased by 3- to more than 10-fold. TGF beta decreased the basal level and completely blocked the stimulatory action of ACTH on P-450(17) alpha enzyme activity. The effects of TGF beta on P-450(17) alpha enzyme content and mRNA levels were manifested in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition observed using 1 ng/ml TGF beta. Importantly, the inhibitory effects of TGF beta on P-450(17) alpha were not overcome by (Bu)2cAMP. These findings indicate that TGF beta is a potent negative regulator of P-450, and the inhibitory action appears to be at the level of P-450(17) alpha gene expression. The ability of TGF beta to suppress the positive stimulatory action of ACTH suggests that TGF beta could play a role in determining the pathway of steroidogenesis and, thereby, the specific steroids secreted by adrenocortical cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Rainey
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naville
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Saez
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Magness
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000378:metabolism; D015342:DNA Probes; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000378:metabolism; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011374:Progesterone; D003994:Bucladesine; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D003345:Corticosterone; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone