The enzyme, aromatase, belongs to cytochrome P450 family of monooxygenases known for their key role in drug catabolism and cholesterol/steroid synthesis. Aromatase uses a heme-group as a co-factor to catalyze the formation of aromatic C18 estrogens from C19 androgens. This conversion includes that of testosterone into estradiol as well as androstenedione to estrone. Aromatase is a peripheral membrane protein. In addition to being found in the female reproductive tract and adipose tissue, it can also be found in testis, liver, and brain - as well as certain tumors including breast cancer. During ontogenesis, it plays an important role in CNS and gonad development, as well as sex differentiation. Defective aromatase leads to the aromatase excess syndrome (AEXS) and aromatase deficiency (AROD). Additionally, obesity has been linked to abnormally high aromatase expression in mammary tissues, increased local estrogen production, and susceptibility to breast hyperplasia and cancer. Aromatase is the dominant source in intratumoral estrogen production for postmenopausal mammary cancers.
Western Blot: Aromatase Antibody
Bogan’s group performed immunoblotting using the aromatase antibody to help them systematically profile genes expressed in the primate corpus luteum during the luteal phase of menses1. Those molecular and cellular determinations with the aromatase antibody were followed soon after by similar genomic studies from the same group, but this time they evaluated the spontaneous regression phase of menses2. Taken together, both of these studies that used the aromatase antibody give a detailed database and profile of primate physiology. A research group from China also used the aromatase antibody in immunoblotting to investigate the role of a novel estrogen receptor (ER) variant, ER-alpha, in testosterone carcinogenesis3. Their data suggests that ER-alpha stimulates both the ERK and Akt signaling pathways. A group from Italy used the aromatase antibody to survey aromatase gene and protein levels in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and tissues4.
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