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Advances in the stereoselective synthesis of antifungal agents and ...

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Chapter 1 20tool for controll<strong>in</strong>g pathological conditions associated with endogenousestrogens, such as breast <strong>and</strong> endometrial cancer 74-84, <strong>and</strong> benignprostatic hyperplasia 85-87<strong>and</strong> this by reduc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir levels withoutaffect<strong>in</strong>g production <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r physiological steroids.Aromatase, <strong>the</strong>refore, has important functions <strong>in</strong> femaledevelopment <strong>and</strong> reproduction. In humans, it is produced <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ovaries<strong>and</strong> here first <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ca cells <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n <strong>in</strong> much greater abundance <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>granulosa cells <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g follicle 88. Dur<strong>in</strong>g pregnancy, <strong>the</strong>enzyme is produced <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> syncytiotrophoblast <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> placenta. In <strong>the</strong>male, aromatase is present <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Leydig cells <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adult testes 89 .Estradiol produced by <strong>the</strong> testes is thought to be <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> regulat<strong>in</strong>g<strong>and</strong>rogen biosyn<strong>the</strong>sis <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> proliferation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sertoli <strong>and</strong> Leydigcells. In early development, local production <strong>of</strong> estrogen <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> bra<strong>in</strong> hasbeen shown to be essential for sexual differentiation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> malephenotype. Central aromatization is necessary for <strong>the</strong> manifestations <strong>of</strong>many k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> sex behavior, neuroendocr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong> developmental responses<strong>of</strong> several species.In addition, aromatase is formed <strong>in</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r tissuesthroughout <strong>the</strong> body. The most important sites <strong>of</strong> non-gonadal estrogensare muscle <strong>and</strong> adipose tissue 90 , where production <strong>in</strong>creases with age <strong>in</strong>both sexes. Peripheral aromatization is <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> source <strong>of</strong> estrogens <strong>in</strong>post-menopausal women 91 .1.3.2. Enzyme properties.Aromatization <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong>rogens to estrogen occurs via a series <strong>of</strong>reactions. The enzyme aromatase catalyzes <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> aromatic C18estrogenic steroids (estradiol <strong>and</strong> estrone) from C19 <strong>and</strong>rogen precursors(testosterone <strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>rostenedione), conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> 3-keto-D4 group<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g A <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> steroid nucleus.The process (Scheme 1.3) <strong>in</strong>volves three enzymatic hydroxylation92-96 which are promoted by <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pros<strong>the</strong>tic group (hemeiron porphyr<strong>in</strong> complex) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> aromatase to activate dioxygen for<strong>in</strong>sertion <strong>in</strong>to nonactivated C-H bonds. The first two occur at <strong>the</strong> C-19methyl group, followed by <strong>the</strong> attack at C-4 by an enzyme nucleophilicgroup. Endo shift <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> C-4 - C-5 double bond <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> peroxy l<strong>in</strong>k to<strong>the</strong> heme <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cytochrome <strong>and</strong> elim<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> C-19 methyl group as

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