Pathways and genes involved in steroid hormone metabolism in male pigs: a review and update.

TitlePathways and genes involved in steroid hormone metabolism in male pigs: a review and update.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsRobic, A, Faraut, T, Prunier, A
JournalJ Steroid Biochem Mol Biol
Volume140
Pagination44-55
Date Published2014 Mar
ISSN1879-1220
KeywordsAndrogens, Animals, Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System, Estrogens, Humans, Male, Metabolic Networks and Pathways, Phosphoproteins, Phylogeny, Steroids, Swine, Testis
Abstract

This paper reviews state-of-the-art knowledge on steroid biosynthesis pathways in the pig and provides an updated characterization of the porcine genes involved in these pathways with particular focus on androgens, estrogens, and 16-androstenes. At least 21 different enzymes appear to be involved in these pathways in porcine tissues together with at least five cofactors. Until now, data on several porcine genes were scarce or confusing. We characterized the complete genomic and transcript sequences of the single porcine CYP11B gene. We analyzed the porcine AKR1 gene cluster and identified four AKR1C, one AKR1C like genes and one AKR1E2 gene. We provide evidence that porcine AKR1C genes are not orthologous to human AKR1C. A new nomenclature is thus needed for this gene family in the pig. Thirty-two genes are now described: transcript (30+2 characterized in this study) and genomic (complete: 18+1 and partial: 12+1) sequences are identified. However, despite increasing knowledge on steroid metabolism in the pig, there is still no explanation of why porcine testes can produce androstenone and epiandrosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is also a reduced steroid.

DOI10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.11.001
Alternate JournalJ. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol.
PubMed ID24239507
genepi