Cited by 293Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressRedox biology and oxidative stressMetal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 150 of the 150 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 187 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Antioxidant Protective Mechanisms against Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generated by Mitochondrial P450 Systems in Steroidogenic Cells

Hanukoglu, Israel·2006·Drug Metabolism Reviews

Abstract

Mitochondrial P450 type enzymes catalyze central steps in steroid biosynthesis, including cholesterol conversion to pregnenolone, 11beta and 18 hydroxylation in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis, C-27 hydroxylation of bile acids, and 1alpha and 24 hydroxylation of 25-OH-vitamin D. These monooxygenase reactions depend on electron transfer from NADPH via FAD adrenodoxin reductase and 2Fe-2S adrenodoxin. These systems can function as a futile NADPH oxidase, oxidizing NADPH in absence of substrate, and leak electrons via adrenodoxin and P450 to O(2), producing superoxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). The degree of uncoupling depends on the P450 and steroid substrate. Studies with purified proteins and overexpression in cultured cells show consistently that adrenodoxin, but not reductase, is responsible for ROS production that can lead to apoptosis. In the ovary and corpus luteum, antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase parallel steroidogenesis. Antioxidant beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbate can protect against oxidative damages of P450 systems. In testis Leydig cells, steroidogenesis is associated with aging of the steroidogenic capacity.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes evidence that mitochondrial P450 systems in steroidogenic cells can leak electrons to O₂, generating ROS, with adrenodoxin as a key mediator and P450c11 more uncoupled than P450scc. It describes antioxidant defenses—SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate, tocopherol, and β-carotene—that parallel steroidogenesis and can protect against oxidative damage.

Key findings

  • Reconstituted bovine mitochondrial P450 components act as a futile NADPH oxidase: AdR alone had O₂ reduction <0.001 mol e⁻/min/mol AdR, but AdR + adrenodoxin increased to 149 ± 34, and AdR + adrenodoxin + P450scc increased further to 721 ± 125 mol e⁻/min/mol AdR.
  • P450c11 is much more leaky than P450scc: in reconstituted systems, at most 15% of total electron flow in the P450scc system went to ROS formation, whereas 32–43% of electrons were consumed in ROS generation by P450c11.
  • Adrenodoxin, not adrenodoxin reductase, appears responsible for ROS production leading to apoptosis: overexpression of human or bovine adrenodoxin decreased cell viability in all 11 cell lines tested, while an apo-mutant adrenodoxin (C46S) lacking the 2Fe-2S cluster did not cause apoptosis; AdR overexpression alone did not increase ROS or apoptosis.
  • Antioxidant enzyme activities parallel steroidogenesis: in bovine corpora lutea, SOD and catalase activities peak at about day 16 of the estrous cycle and then drop in parallel with P450scc and adrenodoxin levels; ascorbate concentrations are highest in steroidogenic tissues such as adrenal cortex and corpus luteum.

Methods

  • Narrative review of published studies on mitochondrial P450 systems, ROS generation, and antioxidant protection in steroidogenic cells.
  • Evidence reviewed includes reconstituted systems with purified bovine mitochondrial P450 proteins, cultured-cell overexpression experiments, and animal tissue studies of adrenal cortex, ovary/corpus luteum, and testis Leydig cells.
  • Main analysis is qualitative synthesis, supported by tables of electron-transfer rates, redox potentials, steroid effects on P450c11 leakage, and antioxidant levels in steroidogenic tissues.

Limitations

  • The paper states that its summary points apply to the specific cases reviewed and “do not represent general rules for all mitochondrial P450 and antioxidant combinations in different systems.”
  • The paper notes that there is currently no precise information on absolute concentrations of NADH and NADPH in the mitochondrial matrix where steroidogenic enzymes are located.
  • Evident from the text: this is a narrative review without a systematic search or meta-analysis, and it compares findings across different species, tissues, temperatures, and cell models; the paper also acknowledges that adrenodoxin overexpression conclusions may be questioned because those studies used non-steroidogenic cells.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/03602530600570040

Cites

150 of 150 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

141 Not checked yet · 46 Own interpretation · 10 No basis given

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Show all 143 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 33
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 26
54 of 54
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AdR is ubiquitously expressed in different cells.

    “AdR is ubiquitously expressed in different cells.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mitochondrial P450 system electron transfer proteins are ubiquitously expressed in different tissues.

    “Yet, the mitochondrial P450 system electron transfer proteins are ubiquitously expressed in different tissues.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The cells used in adrenodoxin overexpression studies are non-steroidogenic cells.

    “This conclusion may be questioned, noting that the cells used in overexpression studies are non-steroidogenic cells.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Cellular metabolism could have changed within minutes after induction of anesthesia and prior to removal of the adrenal.

    “This interpretation requires a caveat that cellular metabolism could have changed within minutes after induction of anesthesia and prior to the removal of the adrenal.”
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Metadata

Authors
Hanukoglu, I.
Affiliations
Ariel University (IL)
Corresponding author
Hanukoglu, Israel
Venue
Drug Metabolism Reviews
Published
2006-01
Volume
38
Issue
1-2
Pages
171-196
ISSN
  • 0360-2532 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-9883
OpenAlex
W2038758189
Cited by
293
References
150
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 22
FWCI
1.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Drug Metabolism Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry (medical) › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Metal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms
Keywords
mitochondrial cytochrome P450, steroidogenesis, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, adrenodoxin, adrenodoxin reductase, superoxide production, antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, Leydig cells, corpus luteum, ovary, steroidogenic cells
MeSH terms
Adrenodoxin, Animals, Antioxidants, Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System, Electron Transport, Endocrine Glands, Humans, Mitochondria, NADP, Steroids, Reactive Oxygen Species

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