Expression of aromatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1, 7 and 12 in breast cancer. An immunocytochemical study.

Abstract

It is known that there is a local biosynthesis of estradiol (E2) in breast carcinoma. The steroidogenic enzymes involved in E2 formation are aromatase which transforms testosterone into E2 and androstenedione into estrone (E1) and reductive 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSDs) which convert E1 into E2. Using immunocytochemistry, we have studied the expression of aromatase and the three reductive 17beta-HSDs 17beta-HSD types 1, 7 and 12 in 41 specimens of female human breast carcinoma and adjacent non-malignant tissues. These results were correlated with the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta), progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, CDC47 and c-erb B-2 expressions and with the tumor stages. Aromatase was found in 58%, 17beta-HSD type 7 in 47% and 17beta-HSD type 12 in 83% of the breast cancer specimens. The 17beta-HSD type 1 could be detected in only one tumor. A significant correlation was observed between the aromatase, 17beta-HSD type 7 and 17beta-HSD type 12 expression, as well as between each of the two enzymes 17beta-types 7 and 12 and the ERbeta expression. The expression of 17beta-HSD type 12 was significantly higher in breast carcinoma specimens than in normal tissue. There was also a significant association of CDC 47 expression with ERbeta, AR and 17beta-HSD type 12. The results indicate that aromatase, 17beta-HSD type 7 and 17beta-HSD type 12, but not 17beta-HSD type 1, are commonly expressed in human breast cancer. Moreover, the high expression of both 17beta-HSD type 12 and ERbeta in breast carcinoma cells may play a role in the development and/or progression of breast cancer.

• Authors: D Song, G Liu, V Luu-The, D Zhao, L Wang, H Zhang, G Xueling, S Li, L Désy, F Labrie, G Pelletier
• Journal: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology (J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol) Vol. 101 Issue 2-3 Pg. 136-44 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0960-0760 [Print] England
• PMID: 16930994 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cell Cycle Proteins
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Nuclear Proteins
• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
• 3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
• Aromatase
• Receptor, ErbB-2
• MCM7 protein, human
• Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7

Topics

• 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (metabolism)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aromatase (metabolism)
• Breast Neoplasms (enzymology, metabolism)
• Carcinoma (enzymology)
• Cell Cycle Proteins (metabolism)
• Cohort Studies
• DNA-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Middle Aged
• Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7
• Nuclear Proteins (metabolism)
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (metabolism)