Bellino F L, Hussa R O
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1985 Feb 28;127(1):232-8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(85)80149-2.
The ability of hemin to stimulate estrogen synthetase (aromatase) in cultured human trophoblast cells and in cellular homogenates was investigated and compared with aromatase stimulation by dibutyryl cAMP [(Bu)2 cAMP]. Cells grown with hemin for 24 h, or homogenates incubated for 45 min with hemin, showed maximal aromatase stimulation (150 to 200% of activities in the absence of hemin) at 25 microM and 0.1 microM, respectively. Aromatase stimulation in culture by 25 microM hemin was observed within 4 h after hemin addition, while (Bu)2 cAMP required more than 6 h. Intracellular heme and porphyrin levels were higher (160 to 185%) in 96 h (Bu)2 cAMP-grown cells than control cells.
