Overexpression of theca-cell messenger RNA in polycystic ovary syndrome does not correlate with polymorphisms in the cholesterol side-chain cleavage and 17alpha-hydroxylase/C(17-20) lyase promoters.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether overexpression of CYP17 or CYP11A messenger (m)RNA in theca cells from polycystic ovaries is related to polymorphic regions in the gene promoters that may increase transcription.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Research institute.


METHODS
Fifty-one women with PCOS and 280 regularly cycling controls underwent genotyping. Thecal cells were obtained from 23 women with PCOS and 51 controls.


METHODS
Ovarian tissue was obtained from women with PCOS undergoing wedge resection for treatment of their infertility and from controls undergoing ovariectomy for indications unrelated to the study. Expression of mRNA in theca cells was measured by using competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Genotype analysis for polymorphisms in the CYP11A and CYP17 promoters was performed by using polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Although expression of CYP11A and CYP17 mRNA was higher in women with PCOS, no significant dose effects of CYP11A or CYP17 alleles were observed with respect to serum testosterone; follicular fluid androstenedione, estradiol, and androstenedione-to-estradiol ratio; or CYP11A or CYP17 mRNA expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpression of CYP17 and CYP11A mRNA in theca cells from polycystic ovaries is explained by polymorphic differences in the gene promoters.
Daneshmand
Saíd
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Burns and Allen Research Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Davis 2066, Los Angeles, CA 90048-0750, USA.
Weitsman
Stacy R
SR
Navab
Alireza
A
Jakimiuk
Artur J
AJ
Magoffin
Denis A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme