Steroid sulfatase in mouse liver and testis: Characterization, ontogeny and localization

Steroid hormones often circulate in the plasma as inactive sulfated forms, such as estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The enzyme steroid sulfatase (STS) converts these steroids into active forms, mainly estrogens, in peripheral tissues. STS is present in most tissues, but it occurs at higher levels in certain organs, notably liver and placenta. In this study, we examined the tissue distribution of STS in a prominent laboratory model, the house mouse (Mus musculus). Tissues included were heart, liver, small intestine, skeletal muscle, and gonads of both sexes. An ³H-estrone-sulfate conversion assay was used to measure STS activity in tissue homogenates and extracts. STS activities were high for hepatic tissue homogenates of both genders. Testicular STS levels were similar to those of liver, while STS activities of ovary, small intestine, heart, and muscle were considerably lower. The specific STS inhibitors, EMATE and STX-64 virtually eliminated STS activity in hepatic microsomes and cytosols, verifying that the observed enzyme activity was due to STS. Enzyme kinetic assays showed Km values of 8.6 µM for liver and 9.1 µM for testis, using E₁S as substrate. Hepatic and testicular STS activities, measured in CHAPS-extracted microsome, were low up to 5 weeks of age and were higher through 56 weeks. Western blotting, with a specific STS antibody, confirmed the presence of STS protein (65 Da) in both liver and testis. Immunofluorescence of tissue sections detected the presence of STS protein in hepatocytes, in testicular Leydig cells and in seminiferous tubules (Leydig cells and developing germ cells). These results suggest that STS may have a significant role in testicular function.