A review of brain aromatase cytochrome P450
Abstract
Aromatase cytochrome P45 (P450AROM) enzyme activity catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens in specific brains areas. During central nervous system development local estrogen formation influences the sexual differentiation of neural structures (i.e., by increasing neurite growth and establishing neural circuitry) and modulates neuroendocrine/reproductive functions and sexual behavior. More than 20 years ago, in 1970, Naftolin et al. provided preliminary direct evidence for the aromatization of androgens by central neuroendocrine tissues. This work created the foundation for the brain aromatase hypothesis. A review of past and recent data reveals the importance of brain aromatase in the development and function of the central nervous system. This review re-examines the aromatase hypothesis in light of recent data and a theoretical proposal is presented in reference to the aromatase mechanism. The metabolic pathway of androgen metabolism by the aromatase cytochrome P450 pathway, cell type, distribution, developmental profile, and regulation of brain aromatase is also presented. The complex nature of brain aromatase is exemplified by recent molecular biology studies examining the expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 during prenatal/postnatal development. Data derived from these studies provide insight into the regulation of the brain aromatase cytochrome P450 gene and suggest an additional level of control for the expression of brain aromatase. These findings prese…
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5α-Reductase converts progesterone and glucocorticoids into their metabolites in the brain.
“5α-Reductase also converts progesterone and glucocorticoids into their respective metabolites in the brain (Celotti, Negri-Cesi, & Poletti, 1997; Lephart, 1996; Lephart, Lund, & Horvath, 2001).”
From Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axes: sex differences in regulation of stress responsivity (2017) · cites this paper as Lephart, 1996
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- Authors
- LEPHART, E.
- Affiliations
- Brigham Young University (US)
- Corresponding author
- LEPHART, E
- ORCID
- LEPHART, E
- Venue
- Brain Research Reviews
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1996-06
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-26
- ISSN
- 0165-0173 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1963951882
- Cited by
- 505
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 12.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Research Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Keywords
- aromatase, CYP19A1, brain aromatase, androgen to estrogen conversion, sexual differentiation of the brain, alternative promoters, aromatase gene expression, prenatal and postnatal development, neural development, reproductive function, sexual behavior
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Aromatase, Brain, Humans
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