The roles of nadh in the support of steroid aromatization by human placental microsomes

The ability of NADH to function as an alternative cofactor for the support of estrogen biosynthesis was validated. NADH supported rates of aromatization of up to 80% of those obtained with NADPH, with an apparent K m of 0.70 mM, and stimulated the NADPH-supported reaction only when supplies of the normal cofactor were limiting, both additive and synergistic effects being observed. NADH-supported aromatization was inhibited competitively by NADP + and 2′-AMP with K i values of 5 μM and 22 μM, respectively. Support by both cofactors was lost in parallel with the selective removal of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase from microsomes by graded subtilisin treatment. NADH-supported aromatization was differentiated from NADPH-supported aromatization by its sensitivity to inhibition by NAD + and its response to changes in ionic strength. NADH appears to function, at high concentrations, as a surrogate for NADPH at the reduced nucleotide-binding site of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase but additional roles for NADH are also suggested both when acting alone and as a supplement to NADPH. A common oxidase (cytochrome P-450) appears to catalyze both NADH- and NADPH-supported aromatization.