Hexose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Modulates 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1-Dependent Metabolism of 7-keto- and 7β-hydroxy-neurosteroids
2007

How 11β-HSD1 and H6PDH Work Together to Regulate Neurosteroid Metabolism

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lyubomir G. Nashev, Charlie Chandsawangbhuwana, Zoltan Balazs, Atanas G. Atanasov, Bernhard Dick, Felix J. Frey, Michael E. Baker, Alex Odermatt

Primary Institution: Institute of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Hypothesis

The study investigates the role of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) in modulating the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in the metabolism of neurosteroids.

Conclusion

The study concludes that H6PDH significantly influences the activity of 11β-HSD1, affecting the balance between active and inactive steroid metabolites.

Supporting Evidence

  • 11β-HSD1 can catalyze both reductase and dehydrogenase reactions depending on the presence of H6PDH.
  • H6PDH provides NADPH, which is crucial for the reductase activity of 11β-HSD1.
  • The study demonstrated that 11β-HSD1 efficiently interconverts 7-keto- and 7-hydroxy-neurosteroids.
  • 3D-structural modeling provided insights into the binding interactions of neurosteroids with 11β-HSD1.

Takeaway

This study shows that two proteins, 11β-HSD1 and H6PDH, work together to change how certain brain chemicals are made, which can affect how we feel and think.

Methodology

The study used enzyme activity measurements and 3D-structural modeling to investigate the metabolism of neurosteroids in intact cells.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000561

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