Cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase immunoreactivity and molecular expression in the cerebellar nuclei of adult male rats

Several probes have been developed to identify steroidogenic activity in the brain of vertebrates. However, the presence of the cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (P450C17), an enzyme that converts pregnenolone and progesterone into dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, in specific areas of the cerebellum such as the deep cerebellar nuclei, remains virtually unexplored. Using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we found molecular expression of P450C17 in the lateral, interposed and medial deep cerebellar nuclei. Moreover, double immunofluorescence procedures enabled localization of P450C17 mainly in neurons, axons and glutamatergic synapses. Taken together, these data demonstrate the occurrence of P450C17 in the deep cerebellar nuclei, and enable the chemical characterization of the cells that express the cytochrome.

► We show the immunohistochemical and molecular expression of the cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (P450C17) in the deep cerebellar nuclei of male adult rats.
► We provide the chemical characterization of the cells that express the cytochrome P450C17 at the level of the lateral, interposed, and medial deep cerebellar nuclei.
► The occurrence of the cytochrome P450C17 led us to hypothesize that DHEA synthesized in loco may affect the neurobiological and the electrophysiological activities of the deep cerebellar nuclei.