Differential effects of high and low steroidogenic factor-1 expression on CYP11B2 expression and aldosterone production in adrenocortical cells

Endocrinology. 2009 Mar;150(3):1303-9. doi: 10.1210/en.2008-0667. Epub 2008 Oct 30.

Abstract

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1/Ad4BP/NR5A1) plays a major role in regulating steroidogenic enzymes. We have previously shown that SF-1 inhibits aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) reporter gene activity. Herein, we used the H295R/TR/SF-1 adrenal cells that increase SF-1 in a doxycycline-dependent fashion. Cells were incubated with or without doxycycline to induce SF-1 and then treated with angiotensin II (Ang II). Aldosterone was measured by immunoassay. SF-1 mRNA was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) by Nucleofector technology. mRNA levels were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Ang II treatment without doxycycline increased aldosterone production by 11.3-fold and CYP11B2 mRNA by 116-fold. Doxycycline treatment increased SF-1 mRNA levels by 3.7-fold and inhibited Ang II-induced aldosterone by 84%. Doxycycline treatment inhibited Ang II-stimulated CYP11B2 mRNA levels by 86%. Doxycycline decreased basal CYP11B2 promoter activity by 68%. Doxycycline inhibited Ang II stimulation by 85%. Ang II increased CYP21 mRNA expression by 4.6-fold, whereas doxycycline inhibited induction by 69%. In contrast, doxycycline treatment increased CYP11B1 mRNA by 1.7-fold in basal cells and increased Ang II induction by 3.6-fold. SF-1-specific siRNA significantly reduced SF-1 mRNA expression as compared with cells treated with control siRNA. SF-1 siRNA reversed doxycycline stimulation of CYP B1 and its inhibition of CYP11B2. However, in H295R/TR/SF-1 cells without doxycycline treatment, both CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 mRNAs were significantly decreased, suggesting that both enzymes require a minimal level of SF-1 for basal expression. In summary, SF-1 overexpression dramatically inhibited CYP11B2 expression and decreased aldosterone production. The opposing effects of SF-1 on CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 suggest that the regulation of SF-1 activity may play a role that determines the relative ability to produce mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex / drug effects
  • Adrenal Cortex / metabolism*
  • Aldosterone / metabolism*
  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / metabolism
  • Doxycycline / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Glucocorticoids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mineralocorticoids / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / genetics
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1 / physiology*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Mineralocorticoids
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Steroidogenic Factor 1
  • Angiotensin II
  • Aldosterone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2
  • Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase
  • Doxycycline