The human aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is controlled by multiple promoters that give rise to different aromatase transcripts. Its regulation has been studied in
cells from multiple origins, including placenta, bone, adipose tissue, and breast cancer. However, little is known about its
regulation in cells from neural origin. We assessed whether vitamin D, dexamethasone, and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist
mifepristone regulate the aromatase gene in human glioma, neuroblastoma, and breast cancer cells. The results show that these
compounds enhance the activity of different aromatase promoters in glioma cells, but not in neuroblastoma and breast cancer
cells. Vitamin D increased the expression of I.3, I.7, and I.4 aromatase transcripts and induced de novo expression of the
I.6 transcript; dexamethasone increased the expression of I.4, PII, and I.3 transcripts and mifepristone increased the expression
of PII and I.3 aromatase transcripts. The cell specific regulation of CYP19A1 by vitamin D, dexamethasone, and mifepristone opens the possibility for cellular selective modulation of estrogen biosynthesis
within the brain.
Keywords Aromatase - Glioma - Neuroblastoma - Breast cancer - Vitamin D - Dexamethasone - Mifepristone