Enzymatic activation in vitamin D signaling - Past, present and future.

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 D are crucial for vitamin D signaling and function.

Effects of glucocorticoids on vitamin D-metabolizing 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) in Saos-2 cells and primary human osteoblasts.

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.

Vitamin D Analogues Tacalcitol and Calcipotriol Inhibit Proliferation and Migration of T98G Human Glioblastoma Cells.

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.

Expression and regulation of CYP17A1 and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in cells of the nervous system: Potential effects of vitamin D on brain steroidogenesis.

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.

Drug-Mediated Gene Regulation of Vitamin D Metabolism in Primary Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

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 D and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D .

Effects of Osteoporosis-Inducing Drugs on Vitamin D-Related Gene Transcription and Mineralization in MG-63 and Saos-2 Cells.

Vitamin D is important for calcium and phosphate homeostasis. To exert its effects, vitamin D has to be enzymatically activated into 1,25D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ). Regulation by endogenous vitamin D metabolites of the activation and inactivation of 1,25D is important to maintain adequate amounts of active vitamin D .

Motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells as a new model for the study of vitamin D metabolism in the brain.

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.

Human cytochromes P450 in health and disease.

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.

Vitamin D-mediated regulation of CYP21A2 transcription - a novel mechanism for vitamin D action.

Background: 1α,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 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-mediated effect on CYP21A2 transcriptional rate.

Methods: We have studied the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) using luciferase reporter constructs containing different lengths of the CYP21A2 promoter.

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 exerts tissue-specific effects on estrogen and androgen metabolism.

It is well-known that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) 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 D(3) 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 D(3) on estrogen and androgen metabolism in adrenocortical NCI-H295R cells, breast cancer MCF-7 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP cells.

Androgen receptor-mediated regulation of the anti-atherogenic enzyme CYP27A1 involves the JNK/c-jun pathway.

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.

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 affects hormone production and expression of steroidogenic enzymes in human adrenocortical NCI-H295R cells.

The current study presents data indicating that 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) 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 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) suppressed the levels of corticosterone, aldosterone, DHEA, DHEA-sulfate and androstenedione in the culture medium.

Regulation of human vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylases in dermal fibroblasts and prostate cancer LNCaP cells.

In this study, we examined whether 1alpha,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.

Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated upregulation of human CYP27A1, a potential anti-atherogenic enzyme.

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.

Metabolism of a novel side chain modified Delta8(14)-15-ketosterol, a potential cholesterol lowering drug: 28-hydroxylation by CYP27A1.

The synthetic inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis, 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one and 3beta-hydroxy-24S-methyl-5alpha-cholesta-8(14),22-dien-15-one, are of interest as potential cholesterol lowering drugs. Rapid metabolism of synthetic 15-ketosterols may lead to a decrease, or loss, of their potency to affect lipid metabolism. 3beta-Hydroxy-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one is reported to be rapidly side chain oxygenated by rat liver mitochondria.

Species-specific and age-dependent bile acid composition: aspects on CYP8B and CYP4A subfamilies in bile acid biosynthesis.

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.

Regulation of human CYP27A1 by estrogens and androgens in HepG2 and prostate cells.

The regulation of the human CYP27A1 gene by estrogens and androgens was studied in human liver-derived HepG2 and prostate cells. Our results show that the promoter activity, enzymatic activity and mRNA levels of CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells are downregulated by estrogen in presence of ERalpha or ERbeta. Similar effects by estrogen were found in RWPE-1 prostate cells.

Phenobarbital suppresses vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase expression: a potential new mechanism for drug-induced osteomalacia.

Prolonged therapy with phenobarbital may cause vitamin D deficiency or osteomalacia. In the current study, we propose a novel mechanism for drug-induced osteomalacia involving impaired bioactivation of vitamin D(3) due to decreased 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) in liver. The present data, using the pig as model, demonstrate direct effects by phenobarbital on the expression of CYP27A1 and CYP2D25, two important 25-hydroxylases.

Enzymes in the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids.

This article aims to give an overview on the characterization, properties and regulation of enzymes, particularly the cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes, in the formation of bile acids from cholesterol. Bile acids are biologically active molecules that promote absorption of dietary lipids in the intestine and stimulate biliary excretion of cholesterol. Bile acids and oxysterols, formed from cholesterol, act as ligands to nuclear receptors regulating the expression of important genes in cholesterol homeostasis.

Isolation and properties of the CYP2D25 promoter: transcriptional regulation by vitamin D3 metabolites.

Previous studies have suggested that hepatic production of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 may be suppressed by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. However, the molecular details of these observations have not been clarified. In the current study, the 5'-flanking DNA sequence of CYP2D25, a porcine microsomal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase, was isolated and analyzed.

Regulation of sterol 27-hydroxylase in human monocyte-derived macrophages: up-regulation by transforming growth factor beta1.

Regulatory mechanisms for human CYP27A1 enzyme have not yet been fully investigated. Our approach was to add different hormones and cytokines to cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages, and assess the effects on the CYP27A1 by measuring the production of 27-hydroxylated cholesterol in the media. Of the different hormones and cytokines tested, only transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) had a clear effect on CYP27A1.

Gene structure of pig sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) and expression in fetal liver: comparison with expression of taurochenodeoxycholic acid 6alpha-hydroxylase (CYP4A21).

Cholic acid is the major trihydroxy bile acid formed in most mammals. The domestic pig (Sus scrofa) is an exception. The bile of adult pig is devoid of cholic acid whereas hyocholic acid is found in amounts equal to that of cholic acid in humans.

Metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 by microsomal and mitochondrial vitamin D3 25-hydroxylases (CYP2D25 and CYP27A1): a novel reaction by CYP27A1.

The metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) was studied with a crude mitochondrial cytochrome P450 extract from pig kidney and with recombinant human CYP27A1 (mitochondrial vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase) and porcine CYP2D25 (microsomal vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase). The kidney mitochondrial cytochrome P450 catalyzed the formation of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and 25,27-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). An additional metabolite that was separated from the other hydroxylated products on HPLC was also formed.

On the substrate specificity of human CYP27A1: implications for bile acid and cholestanol formation.

The mitochondrial sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) is required for degradation of the C27-sterol side chain in bile acid biosynthesis. CYP27A1 seems, however, to have roles beyond this, as illustrated by patients with a deficient sterol 27-hydroxylase due to mutations of the CYP27A1 gene [cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX)]. These subjects have symptoms ranging from accumulation of bile alcohols and cholestanol to accelerated atherosclerosis and progressive neurologic impairment.

25-Hydroxylation of vitamin D3 in primary cultures of pig hepatocytes: evidence for a role of both CYP2D25 and CYP27A1.

There has been some controversy over whether the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) is carried out by one enzyme or two and whether this cytochrome P450 enzyme is found in the mitochondrial or microsomal fractions of liver. The pig is currently the only species in which both the microsomal 25-hydroxylase (CYP2D25) and the mitochondrial 25-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) have been cloned and characterized. In this paper, the roles of the two enzymes in 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) are examined in primary cultures of hepatocytes.