title: Steroid and sterol 7-hydroxylation: ancient pathways.
abstract: B-ring hydroxylation is a major metabolic pathway for cholesterols and some steroids. In liver, 7 alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterols, mediated by CYP7A and CYP39A1, is the rate-limiting step of bile acid synthesis and metabolic elimination. In brain and other tissues, both sterols and some steroids including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are prominently 7 alpha-hydroxylated by CYP7B. The function of extra-hepatic steroid and sterol 7-hydroxylation is unknown. Nevertheless, 7-oxygenated cholesterols are potent regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis; 7-oxygenated derivatives of DHEA, pregnenolone, and androstenediol can have major effects in the brain and in the immune system. The receptor targets involved remain obscure. It is argued that B-ring modification predated steroid evolution: non-enzymatic oxidation of membrane sterols primarily results in 7-oxygenation. Such molecules may have provided early growth and stress signals; a relic may be found in hydroxylation at the symmetrical 11-position of glucocorticoids. Early receptor targets probably included intracellular sterol sites, some modern steroids may continue to act at these targets. 7-Hydroxylation of DHEA may reflect conservation of an early signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, George Square, EH9 9XD, Edinburgh, UK. rlathe@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lathe
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006900:Hydroxylation; D007536:Isomerism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013261:Sterols; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D002784:Cholesterol; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase