title: Cytochrome P450 aromatase expression in human seminoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The enzyme cytochrome P450 aromatase, catalysing the conversion of androgens into estrogens, has been detected in normal human testicular cells suggesting a physiological role of local estrogen biosynthesis on spermatogenesis control. Estrogens, regulating cell growth and apoptosis, can also be involved in tumorigenesis process, but the possible link between estrogens and testicular neoplastic process is, up to now, scarcely known. This study examined aromatase expression in human seminoma, which is the most common germ cell tumour of the testis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tumour-bearing testes were obtained from 20 patients with classic seminoma undergoing to therapeutic orchidectomy. Paraffin embedded tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry using a mouse monoclonal antibody generated against human placental cytochrome P450 arom, as primary antibody, and a biotinylated goat-anti-mouse IgG, as secondary antibody. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of seminoma extracts was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intense P450 arom immunoreactivity was observed in the seminoma cells and Western blot analysis confirmed the immunodetection. A strong immunostaining was also detected in cells of intratubular germ cell neoplasia (IGCN), adjacent to seminoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated, for the first time in human, aromatase expression in neoplastic cells of seminoma suggesting a relation between local estrogen biosynthesis and germ cell tumorigenesis. The P450 arom immunolocalization in the cells of IGCN, representing the common precursor of most germ cell tumors, seems to support these findings.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Calabria, Italy. vittoriarago@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rago
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Saveria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aquila
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montanaro
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andò
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carpino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001141:Aromatase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018239:Seminoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001141:Aromatase