Cryptotanshinone Regulates Androgen Synthesis through the ERK/c-Fos/CYP17 Pathway in Porcine Granulosa Cells.
The aim of the study is to investigate the molecular mechanism behind androgen reduction in porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) withSalvia miltiorrhizaBunge extract cryptotanshinone. PGCs were isolated from porcine ovaries and identified. Androgen excess model of the pGCs was induced with the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 and then treated with cryptotanshinone. The testosterone level was measured by radioimmunoassay in the culture media. The protein levels of P-ERK1/2, c-Fos, and CYP17 in the cells were measured by western blot. Cryptotanshinone decreased the concentration of testosterone and the protein level of CYP17 and increased the protein levels of P-ERK1/2 and c-Fos in the androgen excess mode. After the c-Fos gene was silenced by infection with c-Fos shRNA lentivirus, we measured the mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR and protein level by western blot of P-ERK1/2, c-Fos, and CYP17. This showed that the mRNA expression and protein level of P-ERK1/2 and c-Fos were significantly reduced in the shRNA-c-Fos group compared to the scrambled group, while those of CYP17 were significantly increased. So we concluded that cryptotanshinone can significantly reduce the androgen excess induced by PD98059 in pGCs. The possible molecular mechanism for this activity is regulating the ERK/c-Fos/CYP17 pathway.
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Danfeng
D
Ye
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Meifang
M
Li
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; Center for Post-Doctoral Studies, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China.
Yuehui
Y
Zhang
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Research Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Xinhua
X
Wang
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Hua
H
Liu
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Wanting
W
Wu
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Wanying
W
Ma
Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Kewei
K
Quan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam 999077, Hong Kong.
Ernest H Y
EH
Ng
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China.
Xiaoke
0000-0003-1767-7344
X
Wu
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Maohua
0000-0001-8027-1510
M
Lai
Research Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Hongxia
0000-0002-4477-613X
H
Ma