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Sulfatase activity in normal and neoplastic endometrium
Ovadia Abulafia1, Yi-Chun Lee, Alison Wagreich
1Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York (SUNY), Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., USA. oabulafia@aol.com
Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
|October 10, 2008
Summary
Endometrial cancer exhibits significantly higher sulfatase activity, which converts dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) to androgens and estrogens, compared to normal tissues. This finding may indicate a role for DHEAS metabolism in endometrial cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a precursor to active androgens and estrogens.
- Hormonal influences, including those derived from DHEAS, are implicated in endometrial cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conversion of DHEAS to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in normal and cancerous endometrial tissues.
- To compare sulfatase activity, the enzyme responsible for DHEAS conversion, across different types of endometrial pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectral (GC-MS) analysis was employed to quantify DHEAS and DHEA.
- Endometrial homogenates were incubated with DHEAS, and the resulting DHEA/DHEAS ratio was measured.
- Sulfatase activity was assessed in normal endometrium, endometrioid carcinoma (EC), mixed mesodermal Mullerian tumor (MMMT), and uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).
Main Results:
- Sulfatase activity, indicated by the DHEA/DHEAS ratio, was significantly higher in Stage I endometrioid carcinoma (5.63 ± 3.27) compared to normal endometrium (1.45 ± 1.10).
- Elevated sulfatase activity was also observed in Stage I MMMT (2.88 ± 0.99) and UPSC (3.04 ± 1.76) relative to normal endometrium, though less pronounced than in EC.
- No significant difference in sulfatase activity was found between low-grade and high-grade endometrioid carcinomas.
Conclusions:
- Stage I endometrioid carcinoma demonstrates significantly higher sulfatase activity than normal endometrium.
- Sulfatase activity in Stage I MMMT and UPSC is also elevated compared to normal endometrium.
- These findings suggest that enhanced DHEAS metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometrioid endometrial cancer.
