The activities of the 5 alpha-reductase [the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)] and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [the enzyme that converts DHT into 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol)] have been evaluated in primary cultures of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and type 1 and 2 astrocytes obtained from fetal or neonatal rat brain. All cultures were used on the fifth day. The formation of DHT and 3 alpha-diol was evaluated by incubating the different cultures with [14C]testosterone or [14C]DHT as substrates. The results obtained indicate that the formation of DHT takes place preferentially in neurons; however, type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes also possess considerable 5 alpha-reductase activity, while type 1 astrocytes show a much lower enzymatic activity. A completely different localization was observed for 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The formation of 3 alpha-diol appears to be mainly, if not exclusively, present in type 1 astrocytes. 3 alpha-Diol is formed in very low yields by neurons, type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The compartmentalization of two strictly correlated enzymes (5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) in separate central nervous system cell populations suggests the simultaneous participation of neurons and glial cells in the 5 alpha-reductive metabolism of testosterone and possibly other hormonal steroids (e.g. progesterone, corticoids, etc.).
Differential localization of the 5 alpha-reductase and the 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in neuronal and glial cultures / R. C. Melcangi, F. Celotti, P. Castano, L. Martini. - In: ENDOCRINOLOGY. - ISSN 0013-7227. - 132:3(1992), pp. 1252-1259.
Differential localization of the 5 alpha-reductase and the 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in neuronal and glial cultures
R. C. MelcangiPrimo
;F. CelottiSecondo
;P. CastanoPenultimo
;L. MartiniUltimo
1992
Abstract
The activities of the 5 alpha-reductase [the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)] and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [the enzyme that converts DHT into 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol)] have been evaluated in primary cultures of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and type 1 and 2 astrocytes obtained from fetal or neonatal rat brain. All cultures were used on the fifth day. The formation of DHT and 3 alpha-diol was evaluated by incubating the different cultures with [14C]testosterone or [14C]DHT as substrates. The results obtained indicate that the formation of DHT takes place preferentially in neurons; however, type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes also possess considerable 5 alpha-reductase activity, while type 1 astrocytes show a much lower enzymatic activity. A completely different localization was observed for 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The formation of 3 alpha-diol appears to be mainly, if not exclusively, present in type 1 astrocytes. 3 alpha-Diol is formed in very low yields by neurons, type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The compartmentalization of two strictly correlated enzymes (5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) in separate central nervous system cell populations suggests the simultaneous participation of neurons and glial cells in the 5 alpha-reductive metabolism of testosterone and possibly other hormonal steroids (e.g. progesterone, corticoids, etc.).Pubblicazioni consigliate
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