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Hormonal and Molecular Regulation of the Cytochrome P450 Aromatase Gene Expression in the Ovary

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Reproductive Endocrinology

The cytochrome P450 aromatase (aromatase), encoded by the Cyp19a1 (Cyp19) gene, is the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens in the ovarian granulosa cells. Estradiol-17β (estradiol), the most potent estrogen, is crucial for female and male fertility, as proved by the severe reproductive defects observed when its synthesis [1] or actions [2] are blocked. In the ovary, locally produced estradiol in concert with the pituitary gonadotropins is required for successful folliculogenesis and steroid production. Estradiol modulates the structure and function of female reproductive tissues, such as uterus and oviduct, and is required for the fluctuating patterns of biosynthetic and secretory activity of the gonadotropins in the pituitary gland, to generate the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), and for the cyclical variations in sexual female behavior. Therefore, the coordinated and cell-specific expression of the aromatase gene in the ovary is crucial for the normal progression of the menstrual/estrous cycle. This chapter reviews the molecular, cellular, and normal physiological mechanisms regulating the expression of the aromatase gene in the ovary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Carlos Stocco

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  1. Carlos Stocco
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Correspondence to Carlos Stocco .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

     

    Akt:

    oncogene of the retrovirus AKT8 with activity serine/threonine-specific protein kinase, also termed protein kinase-B (PKB)

    AP-3:

    activating transcription factor-3 binding site

    BMP:

    bone morphogenetic protein;

    BRCA1:

    breast cancer-1 early onset tumor suppressor gene

    C/EBPβ:

    CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β

    cAMP:

    cyclic Adenosine monophosphate

    CBP:

    CREB-binding protein

    CLS:

    cAMP-responsive element-like sequence

    CRE:

    cAMP response element

    CREB:

    CRE binding protein

    CREM:

    cAMP-responsive element modulator

    Ctnnb1:

    β-catenin

    EGF-1:

    epidermal growth factor-1

    ER:

    estrogen receptor

    ERKs:

    extracellular regulated kinases

    FOXO1:

    forkhead box-O1

    FSH:

    follicle stimulating hormone

    GATA:

    a family of transcription factors that contain two zinc finger motif and binds to the DNA sequence (A/T)GATA(A/G)

    GDF:

    growth differentiation factor

    hCG:

    human chorionic gonadotropin

    ICER:

    inducible cAMP early repressor

    IGF-1:

    insulin growth factor-1

    IGFBP-4:

    IGF-binding protein

    JunB:

    protooncogene homolog B

    LH-R:

    LH receptor

    LRH-1:

    liver receptor homolog-1

    MAPKs:

    mitogen-activated protein kinases

    MEK:

    Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, also termed MAP2K

    NRE:

    nuclear response element

    PGE2:

    prostaglandin E2

    PGF2α:

    prostaglandin F2α

    PI3K:

    phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase

    PKA:

    protein kinase-A

    PKB:

    protein kinase-B, also termed Akt

    PKC:

    protein kinase-C

    PMSG:

    pregnant mare serum gonadotropin

    PRL:

    prolactin

    SF-1:

    steroidogenic factor-1

    TBP:

    TATA binding protein

    TNF-α:

    tumor necrosis factor-α

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    Stocco, C. (2009). Hormonal and Molecular Regulation of the Cytochrome P450 Aromatase Gene Expression in the Ovary. In: Chedrese, P. (eds) Reproductive Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_23

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_23

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