Microcystins and Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 extracts modulate steroidogenesis differentially in the human H295R adrenal model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential interference of cyanobacterial metabolites, in particular microcystins (MCs), with steroid hormone biosynthesis. Steroid hormones control many fundamental processes in an organism, thus alteration of their tissue concentrations may affect normal homeostasis. We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to investigate the modulation of 14 hormones involved in the adrenal steroid biosynthesis pathway using forskolin-treated H295R cells, following exposure with either microcystin-LR (MC-LR) alone, a mixture made up of MC-LR together with eight other MCs and nodularin-R (NOD-R), or extracts from the MC-LR-producing Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 strain or its MC-deficient mutant PCC7806mcyB-. Production of 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was increased in the presence of MC-LR in a dose-dependent manner, indicating an inhibitory effect on 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD). This effect was not observed following exposure with a MCs/NOD-R mixture, and thus the effect of MC-LR on 3ß-HSD appears to be stronger than for other congeners. Exposure to extracts from both M. aeruginosa PCC7806 and M. aeruginosa PCC7806mcyB- had an opposite effect on 3ß-HSD, i.e. concentrations of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and DHEA were significantly decreased, showing that there are other cyanobacterial metabolites that outcompete the effect of MC-LR, and possibly result instead in net-induction. Another finding was a possible concentration-dependent inhibition of CYP21A2 or CYP11ß1, which catalyse oxidation reactions leading to cortisol and cortisone, by MC-LR and the MCs/NOD-R mixture. However, both M. aeruginosa PCC7806 and M. aeruginosa PCC7806mcyB- extracts had an opposite effect resulting in a substantial increase in cortisol levels. Our results suggest that MCs can modulate steroidogenesis, but the net effect of the M. aeruginosa metabolome on steroidogenesis is different from that of pure MC-LR and independent of MC production.

Investigation of In Vitro Endocrine Activities of Microcystis and Planktothrix Cyanobacterial Strains.

Cyanobacteria are cosmopolitan photosynthetic prokaryotes that can form dense accumulations in aquatic environments. They are able to produce many bioactive metabolites, some of which are potentially endocrine disrupting compounds, i.e., compounds that interfere with the hormonal systems of animals and humans. Endocrine disruptors represent potential risks to both environmental and human health, making them a global challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential endocrine disrupting activities with emphasis on estrogenic effects of extracts from cultures of Microcystis or Planktothrix species. We also assessed the possible role of microcystins, some of the most studied cyanobacterial toxins, and thus included both microcystin-producing and non-producing strains. Extracts from 26 cyanobacterial cultures were initially screened in estrogen-, androgen-, and glucocorticoid-responsive reporter-gene assays (RGAs) in order to identify endocrine disruption at the level of nuclear receptor transcriptional activity. Extracts from selected strains were tested repeatedly in the estrogen-responsive RGAs, but the observed estrogen agonist and antagonist activity was minor and similar to that of the cyanobacteria growth medium control. We thus focused on another, non-receptor mediated mechanism of action, and studied the 17ß-estradiol (natural estrogen hormone) biotransformation in human liver microsomes in the presence or absence of microcystin-LR (MC-LR), or an extract from the MC-LR producing M. aeruginosa PCC7806 strain. Our results show a modulating effect on the estradiol biotransformation. Thus, while 2-hydroxylation was significantly decreased following co-incubation of 17ß-estradiol with MC-LR or M. aeruginosa PCC7806 extract, the relative concentration of estrone was increased.

Novel Microcystins from Planktothrix prolifica NIVA-CYA 544 Identified by LC-MS/MS, Functional Group Derivatization and 15N-labeling.

Microcystins are cyclic heptapeptides from cyanobacteria that are potent inhibitors of protein phosphatases and are toxic to animals and humans. At present, more than 250 microcystin variants are known, with variants reported for all seven peptide moieties. While d-glutamic acid (d-Glu) is highly-conserved at position-6 of microcystins, there has been only one report of a cyanobacterium (Anabaena) producing microcystins containing l-Glu at the variable 2- and 4-positions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of extracts from Planktothrix prolifica NIVA-CYA 544 led to the tentative identification of two new Glu-containing microcystins, [d-Asp3]MC-ER (12) and [d-Asp3]MC-EE (13). Structure determination was aided by thiol derivatization of the Mdha7-moiety and esterification of the carboxylic acid groups, while 15N-labeling of the culture and isotopic profile analysis assisted the determination of the number of nitrogen atoms present and the elemental composition of molecular and product-ions. The major microcystin analog in the extracts was [d-Asp3]MC-RR (1). A microcystin with an unprecedented high-molecular-mass (2116 Da) was also detected and tentatively identified as a sulfide-linked conjugate of [d-Asp3]MC-RR (15) by LC-HRMS/MS and sulfide oxidation, together with its sulfoxide (16) produced via autoxidation. Low levels of [d-Asp3]MC-RW (14), [d-Asp3]MC-LR (4), [d-Asp3,Mser7]MC-RR (11), [d-Asp3]MC-RY (17), [d-Asp3]MC-RF (18), [d-Asp3]MC-RR-glutathione conjugate (19), and [d-Asp3]MC-RCit (20), the first reported microcystin containing citrulline, were also identified in the extract, and an oxidized derivative of [d-Asp3]MC-RR and the cysteine conjugate of 1 were partially characterized.