Characterization, expression, and immunohistochemical localization of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase in human skin.

Three beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD) catalyses an obligatory step in the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids, namely, the oxidation/isomerization of 3 beta-hydroxy-5-ene steroids into the corresponding 3-keto-4-ene steroids in gonadal as well as in peripheral tissues. Because humans are unique with some primates in having adrenals that secrete large amounts of the steroid precursors dehydropiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) and its exceptionally large volume makes the skin an important site of steroid biosynthesis, we have isolated and characterized cDNA clones encoding 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase from a human skin lambda gt11 library. The longest clone obtained contains the entire coding sequence for type I 3 beta-HSD (372 amino acids) as well as an additional 131 nucleotides in the 5'-untranslated region. The insert of 1647 bp containing the entire coding region has been inserted in a pCMV expression vector and transfected into human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa). The expressed enzyme efficiently catalyzes the transformation of pregnenolone, DHEA, and dihydrotestosterone into progesterone, 4-androstenedione, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, respectively. Using the enzyme expressed in HeLa cells, we have shown cyproterone acetate, a progestin used in the treatment of acne and hirsutism, as well as norgestrel and norethindrone, two steroids widely used as oral contraceptives, to be relatively potent inhibitors, with Ki values of 0.38 microM, 1.3 microM, and 1.2 microM, respectively. Immunohistochemical localization of 3 beta-HSD, illustrated by using an antibody raised against human placental 3 beta-HSD, shows that the enzyme is localized in sebaceous glands.