Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Androgens are reported to influence the development of glioblastoma. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is formed from testosterone by action of the enzyme steroid 5α-reductase and is the most potent growth-inducing androgen metabolite.24-Hydroxycholesterol, another steroid in the brain, is pivotal for brain cholesterol homeostasis and has been suggested to influence glioblastoma cells. However, a connection between 24-hydroxycholesterol and androgen metabolism related to glioblastoma has not previously been reported. The present study reports that human T98G glioblastoma cells metabolize testosterone into DHT, 3α-androstanediol and androstenedione. The 5α-reductase pathway converted testosterone to DHT and further to 3α-androstanediol. The 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase pathway metabolized testosterone to androstenedione. Results indicated that the 5α-reductase pathway is the major pathway for testosterone metabolism in this cell line. 24-Hydroxycholesterol significantly suppressed the conversion of testosterone to DHT and 3α-androstanediol, to a similar degree as the synthetic 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride. Suppression of DHT formation resulted in increased metabolism to androstenedione. Similar effects on DHT formation were observed with the LXR agonist T0901317 as with 24-hydroxycholesterol. In addition, 24-hydroxycholesterol suppressed DHT formation in patient-derived primary GB cell lines U3009 and U3013, indicating that the observed connection between 24-hydroxycholesterol and androgen metabolism is not unique for T98G cells. Furthermore, 24-hydroxycholesterol-mediated suppression of DHT formation was also observed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.To summarize, the present data provide information on androgen metabolism in glioblastoma cells and indicate a previously unknown link between cholesterol homeostasis and growth-inducing androgens in glioblastoma and potentially other cell types.

Vitamin D signaling is important in regulating calcium homeostasis essential for bone health but also displays other functions in cells of several tissues. Disturbed vitamin D signaling is linked to a large number of diseases. The multiple cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes catalyzing the different hydroxylations in bioactivation of vitamin D3 are crucial for vitamin D signaling and function. This review is focused on the progress achieved in identification of the bioactivating enzymes and their genes in production of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and other active metabolites. Results obtained on species- and tissue-specific expression, catalytic reactions, substrate specificity, enzyme kinetics, and consequences of gene mutations are evaluated. Matters of incomplete understanding regarding the physiological roles of some vitamin D hydroxylases are critically discussed and the authors will give their view of the importance of each enzyme for vitamin D signaling. Roles of different vitamin D receptors and an alternative bioactivation pathway, leading to 20-hydroxylated vitamin D3 metabolites, are also discussed. Considerable progress has been achieved in knowledge of the vitamin D3 bioactivating enzymes. Nevertheless, several intriguing areas deserve further attention to understand the pleiotropic and diverse activities elicited by vitamin D signaling and the mechanisms of enzymatic activation necessary for vitamin D-induced responses.

Vitamin D is essential for bone function and deficiency in active vitamin D hormone can lead to bone disorders. Long-term treatment with glucocorticoids results in osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures. Much remains unclear regarding the effects of these compounds in bone cells. In the current study, human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells and primary human osteoblasts were found to express mRNA for the vitamin D receptor as well as activating and deactivating enzymes in vitamin D-3 metabolism. These bone cells exhibited CYP24A1-mediated 24-hydroxylation which is essential for deactivation of the active vitamin form. However, bioactivating vitamin D-3 hydroxylase activities could not be detected in either of these cells. Several glucocorticoids, including prednisolone, down regulated CYP24A1 mRNA and CYP24A1-mediated 24-hydroxylase activity in both Saos-2 and primary human osteoblasts. Also, prednisolone significantly suppressed a human CYP24A1 promoter-luciferase reporter gene in Saos-2 cells co-transfected with the glucocorticoid receptor. Thus, the results of the present study show suppression by glucocorticoids on CYP24A1 mRNA, CYP24A1-mediated metabolism and CYP24A1 promoter activity in human osteoblast-like cells. As part of this study we examined if glucocorticoids are formed locally in Saos-2 cells. The experiments indicate formation of 11-deoxycortisol, a steroid with glucocorticoid activity, which can bind the glucocorticoid receptor. Our data showing suppression by glucocorticoids on CYP24A1 expression in human osteoblasts suggest a previously unknown mechanism for effects of glucocorticoids in human bone, where these compounds may interfere with regulation of active vitamin D levels.

The active form of vitamin D (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) acts as a steroid hormone and binds to the vitamin D receptor. This receptor is expressed in most cell types including cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Vitamin D has several functions in the body including effects on brain development, neuroprotection and immunological regulation. It has been shown that vitamin D has antiproliferative activities in different cancer cell lines. Tacalcitol and calcipotriol are synthetic analogues of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D with reduced effect on calcium metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of tacalcitol and calcipotriol on cell viability, proliferation and migration in the human glioblastoma cell line T98G. Glioblastoma is the most lethal type of primary tumours in the CNS. Both analogues decreased cell viability and/or growth, dose-dependently, in concentrations between 1 nM and 10 μM. Manual counting indicated suppressive effects by the vitamin D analogues on proliferation. Treatment with tacalcitol strongly suppressed thymidine incorporation, indicating that the vitamin D analogues mainly inhibit proliferation. Also, effects on cell migration were measured with wound-healing assay. Both calcipotriol and tacalcitol reduced the migration rate of T98G cells compared to vehicle-treated cells. However, they had no effect on caspase-3 and -7 activities, suggesting that their mechanism of action does not involve induction of apoptosis. The current results indicate that the vitamin D analogues tacalcitol and calcipotriol strongly reduce proliferation and migration of human glioblastoma T98G cells, suggesting a potential role for this type of compounds in treatment of brain cancer.

Steroids are reported to have diverse functions in the nervous system. Enzymatic production of steroid hormones has been reported in different cell types, including astrocytes and neurons. However, the information on some of the steroidogenic enzymes involved is insufficient in many respects. Contradictory results have been reported concerning the relative importance of different cell types in the nervous system for expression of CYP17A1 and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD). 3β-HSD is important in all basic steroidogenic pathways and CYP17A1 is required to form sex hormones. In the current investigation we studied the expression of these enzymes in cultured primary rat astrocytes, in neuron-enriched cells from rat cerebral cortex and in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, a cell line often used as an in vitro model of neuronal function and differentiation. As part of this study we also examined potential effects on CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD by vitamin D, a compound previously shown to have regulatory effects in steroid hormone-producing cells outside the brain. The results of our study indicate that astrocytes are a major site for expression of 3β-HSD whereas expression of CYP17A1 is found in both astrocytes and neurons. The current data suggest that neurons, contrary to some previous reports, are not involved in 3β-HSD reactions. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D can influence gene expression and hormone production by steroidogenic enzymes in some cells. We found that vitamin D suppressed CYP17A1-mediated activity by 20% in SH-SY5Ycells and astrocytes. Suppression of CYP17A1 mRNA levels was considerably stronger, about 50% in SH-SY5Y cells and 75% in astrocytes. In astrocytes 3β-HSD was also suppressed by vitamin D, about 20% at the enzyme activity level and 60% at the mRNA level. These data suggest that vitamin D-mediated regulation of CYP17A1 and 3β-HSD, particularly on the transcriptional level, may play a role in the nervous system.

Vitamin D3 is important for calcium and phosphate homeostasis. To exert its effects, vitamin D3 has to be enzymatically activated into 1,25D3 (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 ). Regulation by endogenous vitamin D metabolites of the activation and inactivation of 1,25D3 is important to maintain adequate amounts of active vitamin D3 . Vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density have been linked to treatments with antiretroviral drugs and glucocorticoids. However, the causes of drug-induced osteoporosis remain unclear. The antiretroviral drugs efavirenz and ritonavir as well as the glucocorticoid dexamethasone were included in this study. Their effects on transcription of vitamin D-regulating enzymes in MG-63 cells were investigated. Ritonavir and dexamethasone both induced transcription of CYP27B1, the enzyme responsible for the formation of 1,25D3 . Efavirenz, however, suppressed CYP27B1 expression. When administered together with endogenous vitamin D metabolites, dexamethasone and efavirenz counteracted the 1,25D3 -mediated up-regulation of CYP24A1, which inactivates 1,25D3 . This suggests that the drugs may interfere with local regulation of the vitamin D metabolizing system in osteoblasts. Studies on mineralization were performed in MG-63 cells and Saos-2 cells by measuring calcium concentrations accumulated over time. The effects of efavirenz, ritonavir and dexamethasone and/or vitamin D metabolites were examined. 1,25D3 induced mineralization in both cell lines. Efavirenz administered alone did not affect mineralization but suppressed the inducing effects of 1,25D3 on mineralization in both MG-63 cells and Saos-2 cells. In summary, the results suggest that antiretroviral drugs and glucocorticoids may adversely affect bone by interference with the vitamin D system in osteoblasts.

Vitamin D metabolism was studied in primary human dermal fibroblasts with focus on drug-mediated gene regulation related to adverse side effects of antiretroviral drugs used in HIV therapy. The fibroblasts expressed mRNA for cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes catalysing bioactivating (CYP2R1, CYP27A1 and CYP27B1) and catabolic reactions (CYP24A1). The cells produced both 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 . The results demonstrate that primary dermal fibroblasts have an active vitamin D3 -metabolizing system. High incidence of low bone mineral density is a concern for HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral drugs. Osteomalacia and severe vitamin D deficiency have been reported. We investigated whether drug-mediated gene regulation could be a possible mechanism behind these adverse drug effects. Fibroblasts were treated with different drugs used in HIV therapy, and the 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels and relative mRNA levels for crucial enzymes were determined. Efavirenz, stavudine and ritonavir significantly down-regulated the bioactivating CYP2R1 and up-regulated the catabolic CYP24A1. The drugs reduced bioactivating enzyme activities and cellular levels of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 . The current results indicate that effects on gene expression may lead to disturbed vitamin D metabolism and decreased cellular levels of active vitamin D3 . The data are consistent with the impaired bone health in patients treated with certain antiretroviral drugs.

Vitamin D3 is a pro-hormone, which is sequentially activated by 25- and 1α-hydroxylation to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3], respectively. Subsequent inactivation is performed by 24-hydroxylation. These reactions are carried out by a series of CYP450 enzymes. The 25-hydroxylation involves mainly CYP2R1 and CYP27A1, whereas 1α-hydroxylation and 24-hydroxylation are catalyzed by CYP27B1 and CYP24A1, respectively, and are tightly regulated to maintain adequate levels of the active vitamin D hormone, 1α,25(OH)2D3. Altered circulating vitamin D levels, in particular 25(OH)D3, have been linked to several disorders of the nervous system, e.g., schizophrenia and Parkinson disease. However, little is known about the mechanisms of vitamin D actions in the neurons. In this study, we examined vitamin D metabolism and its regulation in a murine motor neuron-like hybrid cell line, NSC-34. We found that these cells express mRNAs for the four major CYP450 enzymes involved in vitamin D activation and inactivation, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) that mediates vitamin D actions. We also found high levels of CYP24A1-dependent 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3] production, that was inhibited by the well-known CYP enzyme inhibitor ketoconazole and by several inhibitors that are more specific for CYP24A1. Furthermore, CYP24A1 mRNA levels in NSC-34 cells were up-regulated by 1α,25(OH)2D3 and its synthetic analogs, EB1089 and tacalcitol. Our results suggest that NSC-34 cells could be a novel model for the studies of neuronal vitamin D metabolism and its mechanism of actions.

There are 18 mammalian cytochrome P450 ( CYP ) families, which encode 57 genes in the human genome. CYP2 , CYP3 and CYP4 families contain far more genes than the other 15 families; these three families are also the ones that are dramatically larger in rodent genomes. Most (if not all) genes in the CYP1 , CYP2 , CYP3 and CYP4 families encode enzymes involved in eicosanoid metabolism and are inducible by various environmental stimuli (i.e. diet, chemical inducers, drugs, pheromones, etc.), whereas the other 14 gene families often have only a single member, and are rarely if ever inducible or redundant. Although the CYP2 and CYP3 families can be regarded as largely redundant and promiscuous, mutations or other defects in one or more genes of the remaining 16 gene families are primarily the ones responsible for P450-specific diseases—confirming these genes are not superfluous or promiscuous but rather are more directly involved in critical life functions. P450-mediated diseases comprise those caused by: aberrant steroidogenesis; defects in fatty acid, cholesterol and bile acid pathways; vitamin D dysregulation and retinoid (as well as putative eicosanoid) dysregulation during fertilization, implantation, embryogenesis, foetogenesis and neonatal development.

Tissue-specific regulation of sex hormone biosynthesis and metabolism : novel aspects on hormonal signalling and maintenance of cellular steroid levels

Background: 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 has recently been reported to decrease expression and activity of CYP21A2. In this paper, we have studied the mechanisms for the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3-mediated effect on CYP21A2 transcriptional rate.Methods: We have studied the effects of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 using luciferase reporter constructs containing different lengths of the CYP21A2 promoter. These constructs were transfected into cell lines derived from human and mouse adrenal cortex. The mechanism for the effects of vitamin Don the CYP21A2 promoter was studied using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, mutagenesis and gene silencing by siRNA.Results: 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-3 was found to alter the promoter activity via a VDR-mediated mechanism, including the comodulators VDR interacting repressor (VDIR) and Williams syndrome transcription factor (WSTF). The involvement of comodulator VDIR was confirmed by gene silencing. We identified a vitamin D response element in the CYP21A2 promoter. Interaction between this novel response element and VDR, WSTF and VDIR was shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. When this sequence was deleted, the effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 was abolished, indicating that this sequence in the CYP21A2 promoter functions as a vitamin D response element. Interestingly, an altered balance between nuclear receptors and comodulators reversed the suppressing effect of vitamin D to a stimulatory effect.General significance: This paper reports data important for the understanding of the mechanisms for vitamin D-mediated suppression of gene expression as well as for the vitamin D-mediated effects on CYP21A2. We report a novel mechanism for effects of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

It is well-known that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and analogs exert anti-proliferative and pro-differentiating effects and these compounds have therefore been proposed to be of potential use as anti-cancer agents. Due to its effects on aromatase gene expression and enzyme activity, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has been proposed as an interesting substance in breast cancer treatment and prevention. In the present study, we have examined the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on estrogen and androgen metabolism in adrenocortical NCI-H295R cells, breast cancer MCF-7 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP cells. The NCI-H295R cell line has been proposed as a screening tool to study endocrine disruptors. We therefore studied whether this cell line reacted to 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment in the same way as cells from important endocrine target tissues. 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 exerted cell line-specific effects on estrogen and androgen metabolism. In breast cancer MCF-7 cells, aromatase gene expression and estradiol production were decreased, while production of androgens was markedly increased. In NCI-H295R cells, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulated aromatase expression and decreased dihydrotestosterone production. In prostate cancer LNCaP cells, aromatase expression increased after the same treatment, as did production of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. In summary, our data show that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 exerts tissue-specific effects on estrogen and androgen production and metabolism. This is important knowledge about 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 as an interesting substance for further research in the field of breast cancer prevention and treatment. Furthermore, the observed cell line-specific effects are of importance in the discussion about NCI-H295R cells as a model for effects on estrogen and androgen metabolism.

Review on CYP7B1 (cytochrome P450, family 7, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated.

CYP27A1, an enzyme with several important roles in cholesterol homeostasis and vitamin D3 metabolism, has been ascribed anti-atherogenic properties. This study addresses an important problem regarding how this enzyme, involved in cholesterol metabolism in the liver and peripheral tissues, is regulated. Our results identify the human CYP27A1 gene as a new target for the JNK/c-jun pathway. Initial experiments showed that an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) downregulated basal CYP27A1 promoter activity whereas overexpression of JNK slightly enhanced promoter activity. Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated upregulation of mRNA levels and endogenous enzyme activity was recently reported. In the present study, the AR antagonist nilutamide blocked the androgen induction of CYP27A1. The present data revealed that inhibition of the JNK/c-jun pathway abolishes the AR-mediated effect on CYP27A1 transcription and enzyme activity, whereas overexpression of JNK markedly increased androgenic upregulation of CYP27A1. In conclusion, the current results indicate involvement of the JNK/c-jun pathway in AR-mediated upregulation of human CYP27A1. The link to JNK signaling is interesting since inflammatory processes may upregulate CYP27A1 to clear cholesterol from peripheral tissues.

The current study presents data indicating that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 affects the production of hormones and expression of crucial steroidogenic enzymes in the human adrenocortical cell line NCI-H295R. This cell line is widely used as a model for adrenal steroidogenesis. Treatment of the cells with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppressed the levels of corticosterone, aldosterone, DHEA, DHEA-sulfate and androstenedione in the culture medium. In order to study the mechanisms behind this suppression of hormone production, we investigated the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on important genes and enzymes controlling the biosynthesis of adrenal hormones. The mRNA levels were decreased for CYP21A2 while they were increased for CYP11A1 and CYP17A1. No significant changes were observed in mRNA for CYP11B1, CYP11B2 or 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD). In similarity with the effects on mRNA levels, also the endogenous enzyme activity of CYP21A2 decreased after treatment with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Interestingly, the two CYP17A1-mediated activities were influenced reciprocally — the 17α-hydroxylase activity increased whereas the 17,20-lyase activity decreased. The current data indicate that the 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated decrease in corticosterone and androgen production is due to suppression of the 21-hydroxylase activity by CYP21A2 and the 17,20-lyase activity by CYP17A1, respectively. In conclusion, the current study reports novel findings on 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated effects on hormone production and regulation of genes and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis in the adrenocortical NCI-H295R cell line, a model for human adrenal cortex.

In this study, we examined whether 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (calcitriol), phenobarbital, and the antiretroviral drug efavirenz, drugs used by patient groups with high incidence of low bone mineral density, could affect the 25-hydroxylase activity or expression of human 25-hydroxylases in dermal fibroblasts and prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Fibroblasts express the 25-hydroxylating enzymes CYP2R1 and CYP27A1. LNCaP cells were found to express two potential vitamin D 25-hydroxylases-CYP2R1 and CYP2J2. The presence in different cells of nuclear receptors vitamin D receptor (VDR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) was also determined. Phenobarbital suppressed the expression of CYP2R1 in fibroblasts and CYP2J2 in LNCaP cells. Efavirenz suppressed the expression of CYP2R1 in fibroblasts but not in LNCaP cells. CYP2J2 was slightly suppressed by efavirenz, whereas CYP27A1 was not affected by any of the two drugs. Calcitriol suppressed the expression of CYP2R1 in both fibroblasts and LNCaP cells but had no clear effect on the expression of either CYP2J2 or CYP27A1. The vitamin D-3 25-hydroxylase activity in fibroblasts was suppressed by both calcitriol and efavirenz. In LNCaP cells, consumption of substrate (1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-3) was used as indicator of metabolism because no 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 product could be determined. The amount of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-3 remaining in cells treated with calcitriol was significantly increased. Taken together, 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D-3 was suppressed by calcitriol and drugs. The present study provides new information indicating that 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D-3 may be regulated. In addition, the current results may offer a possible explanation for the impaired bone health after treatment with certain drugs.

CYP27A1 is an enzyme essential for cholesterol homeostasis and is considered an anti-atherogenic enzyme. CYP27A1 is required in bile acid biosynthesis and participates in oxysterol formation, cholesterol transport and cholesterol elimination (Fig 1). Considering these important functions, mechanisms for regulation of the human CYP27A1 gene are of great interest (1). CYP27A1 is also a vitamin D 25-hydroxylase, catalyzing the first step in the bioactivation of vitamin D into the multifunctional hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Fig 2 shows the bioactivation of vitamin D. Multiple vitamin D 25-hydroxylases exist in humans. In addition to CYP27A1, other known vitamin D 25-hydroxylases are CYP2R1, CYP2J2 and CYP3A4 (2). The active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is a calcium-regulating hormone. Newly discovered functions of this hormone are regulation of cell growth, regulation of immune function and regulation of blood pressure and insulin production. In the current presentation, we focus on our recent studies on the regulation of CYP27A1 and the CYP enzymes catalyzing the first step in the bioactivation of vitamin D.

A 700bp portion of the promoter of CYP2D25, the porcine microsomal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase was isolated and sequenced. The computer analysis of the sequence revealed the existence of a putative VDRE at 220 bp upstream of the transcription start site. A CYP2D25 promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid was constructed in order to study the transcriptional regulation of the gene. Treatment with the vitamin D metabolites calcidiol and calcitriol suppressed the promoter, provided that the nuclear receptors VDR and RXR were overexpressed. Phenobarbital was also capable of suppressing the promoter if the nuclear receptors PXR or CAR were overexpressed.The 25-hydroxylases are not expressed solely in liver but in a wide array of other organs as well. It is therefore possible at least in theory to study the vitamin D 25-hydroxylation in human subjects using cells from extrahepatic organs, from which biopsy retrieval is easier than from the liver. Dermal fibroblasts are frequently used to study different pathological conditions in human subjects and they are easy to come by. Dermal fibroblasts were shown to express two vitamin D 25-hydroxylases: CYP27A1 and CYP2R1. The expression pattern of CYP2R1 displayed considerable interindividual variation. The fibroblasts were also capable of measurable vitamin D 25-hydroxylation, which makes dermal fibroblasts a possible tool in studying vitamin D 25-hydroxylation in human subjects.Little is known about the regulation of expression and activity of the human vitamin D 25-hydroxylases. Therefore dermal fibroblasts – expressing CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 – and human prostate cancer LNCaP cells, that express CYP2R1 and CYP2J2, were treated with calcitriol and phenobarbital and efavirenz, two drugs that give rise to vitamin D deficiency. Treatment decreased the mRNA levels of CYP2R1 and CYP2J2 provided that the treated cells also expressed the necessary nuclear receptors. CYP27A1 did not respond to any of the treatments. The treatments also managed to decrease the 25-hydroxylating activity of the cells.The results show that vitamin D 25-hydroxylases can be regulated by both endogenous and xenobiotic compounds.

The present review aims to give an overview of the cytochrome P450 8B (CYP8B) and cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) subfamilies in relation to biosynthesis of bile acids, in particular trihydroxy bile acids. Trihydroxy bile acids are basically required in most species and have an impact on cholesterol and lipid metabolism. The primary trihydroxy bile acid in most mammals is cholic acid. Some species produce other important trihydroxy bile acids, for example the adult pig which produce hyocholic acid instead of cholic acid. The position of the third hydroxyl group in cholic acid and hyocholic acid, 12 alpha or 6 alpha position, respectively, has a profound effect on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic property of the trihydroxy bile acids. The CYP8B subfamily is required for introduction of the 12 alpha-hydroxyl group in cholic acid biosynthesis. The enzyme responsible for 6 alpha-hydroxylation in hyocholic acid biosynthesis, however, varies among species. This review will discuss, in particular, porcine members of the CYP8B and CYP4A subfamilies because interesting findings regarding members of these subfamilies have recently been recognized in this species. CYP8B1 was for a long time believed to be absent in the pig but was recently found to be expressed in fetal pig liver. The enzyme catalyzing the 6 alpha-hydroxylation in hyocholic acid biosynthesis in pig was found to be an atypical member of the CYP4A subfamily, denoted CYP4A21. The review presents bile acid biosynthesis in view of these findings and discusses physiochemical properties and developmental-dependent aspects related cholic acid and hyocholic acid biosynthesis.

Sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) is required for the hepatic conversion of cholesterol into bile acids and for production of 27-hydroxycholesterol which affects cholesterol homeostasis in several ways. Dexamethasone increases hepatic bile acid biosynthesis and CYP27A1-mediated enzyme activity in HepG2 cells. This study examines the mechanism of the dexamethasone-induced effect on the human CYP27A1 promoter. Dexamethasone treatment of HepG2 cells overexpressed with glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha) increased the CYP27A1 promoter activity more than four-fold as compared with untreated cells. The GR-antagonist mifepristone almost completely abolished the dexamethasone-induced effect on the promoter activity. Progressive deletion analysis of the CYP27A1 promoter indicated that sequences involved in GR-mediated induction by dexamethasone are present in a region between -1094 and -792. Several putative GRE sites could be found in this region and EMSA experiments revealed that two of these could bind GR. Site-directed mutagenesis of GR-binding sequences in the CYP27A1 promoter identified a GRE at -824/-819 important for GR-mediated regulation of the transcriptional activity. Endogenous and pharmacological glucocorticoids may have a strong impact on several aspects of cholesterol homeostasis and other processes related to CYP27A1-mediated metabolism. The glucocorticoid-mediated induction of human CYP27A1 transcription is of particular interest due to the anti-atherogenic properties ascribed to this enzyme.