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Sex-related Expression of 20-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase mRNA in the Adult Mouse

G. Pelletier, V. Luu–The, S. Li, L. Ren and F. Labrie

Oncology and Molecular Endocrinology Research Center, Laval University Medical Center (CHUL) and Laval University, Québec, (PQ) Canada

Correspondence to: Dr. Georges Pelletier, Oncology and Molecular Endocrinology Research Center and Québec Génome Center, Laval University Hospital (CHUL), 2705 Laurier Boulevard. Québec, PQ G1V 4G2, Canada. E-mail: georges.pelletier{at}crchul.ulaval.ca

The enzyme 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of progesterone into its inactive form, 20-hydroxyprogesterone. To gain information about the exact sites of 20-HSD mRNA expression, we performed in situ hybridization using a ³⁵S-labeled cRNA probe in tissues of adult mice of both sexes. 20-HSD mRNA was expressed in both male and female gonads. In the ovary, high expression was found in luteal cells of corpora lutea, while much lower expression could be detected in granulosa cells of growing follicles. In the testis, a specific hybridization signal was detected only in Leydig cells. In the female reproductive tract, 20-HSD mRNA was found in the epithelial cells of the uterine cervix. In the adrenal cortex, only the zona reticularis exhibited specific radiolabeling, the expression being very high in the female and very low in the male. In the skin, specific labeling was restricted to sebaceous glands, the hybridization signal being much higher in the female than in the male. In the liver, 20-HSD mRNA was found in hepatocytes, with a higher degree of expression in the female. In the kidney, specific labeling was observed in the epithelial cells of distal convoluted tubules, the signal being also much more striking in the female than in the male. In non-reproductive tissues, it clearly appears that the expression of 20-HSD mRNA is higher in the female than in the male, suggesting that 20-HSD may play an important role in reducing the intracellular concentration of progesterone originating from the circulation at a much higher level in the female. (J Histochem Cytochem 51:1425–1436, 2003)

Key Words: progesterone catabolism • 20-hydroxysteroid • progesterone • 20-hydroxysteroid • dehydrogenase • mRNA expression • in situ hybridization • mouse • autoradiography

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