3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human aorta.
3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) is known to be involved in steroid production and/or metabolism and to be expressed in many tissues including adrenal cortex. Expression of this enzyme has also been elucidated in human cardiovascular system but its details remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the status of 3beta-HSD in postmortem human aorta utilizing RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Both mRNAs and immunoreactivity for the enzyme were detected predominantly in female aorta, and in those with mild atherosclerotic changes. In addition, immunohistochemical study demonstrated that immunoreactivity for 3beta-HSD was detected in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of aorta. These findings all indicated that steroidogenesis via 3beta-HSD may occur in VSMCs of human aorta, possibly related to gender differences and/or the degree of atherosclerosis.
Nakamura
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Japan.
Suzuki
Takashi
T
Inoue
Tsukasa
T
Tazawa
Chika
C
Moriya
Takuya
T
Saito
Haruo
H
Ishibashi
Tadashi
T
Takahashi
Shoki
S
Yamada
Shogo
S
Sasano
Hironobu
H
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001011:Aorta / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases