title: The role of sulfated steroid hormones in reproductive processes.
abstract: Sulfated steroid hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate or estrone-3-sulfate, have long been regarded as inactive metabolites as they cannot activate classical steroid receptors. Some of them are present in the blood circulation at quite high concentrations, but generally sulfated steroids exhibit low membrane permeation due to their hydrophilic properties. However, sulfated steroid hormones can actively be imported into specific target cells via uptake carriers, such as the sodium-dependent organic anion transporter SOAT, and, after hydrolysis by the steroid sulfatase (so-called sulfatase pathway), contribute to the overall regulation of steroid responsive organs. To investigate the biological significance of sulfated steroid hormones for reproductive processes in humans and animals, the research group "Sulfated Steroids in Reproduction" was established by the German Research Foundation DFG (FOR1369). Projects of this group deal with transport of sulfated steroids, sulfation of free steroids, desulfation by the steroid sulfatase, effects of sulfated steroids on steroid biosynthesis and membrane receptors as well as MS-based profiling of sulfated steroids in biological samples. This review and concept paper presents key findings from all these projects and provides a broad overview over the current research on sulfated steroid hormones in the field of reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. Electronic address: Joachim.M.Geyer@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geyer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bakhaus
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blaschka
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Yaser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dezhkam
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fietz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grosser
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michaela F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neunzig
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Guijo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scheiner-Bobis
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Mazen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shihan
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wrenzycki
authors.affiliation: Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analytics, Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wudy
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002417:Cattle; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism*; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D006888:Hydroxycholesterols / Q000378:metabolism; D016114:Ichthyosis, X-Linked / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D006888:Hydroxycholesterols; D004970:Estrone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase; C493492:sterol O-acyltransferase 1; D043266:Steryl-Sulfatase; C017296:estrone sulfate
keywords: DHEAS; Desulfation; Reproduction; Steroid sulfatase; Sulfatase pathway; Sulfated steroid hormone; Sulfation; Transport