Sex hormone-binding globulin secretion by human hepatocarcinoma cells is increased by both estrogens and androgens.

The secretion of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) by the human hepatocarcinoma cell line Hep G2 was increased significantly not only by estradiol (E2) but also by testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone, and the synthetic androgen danazol in the presence, but not the absence, of fetal calf serum. The secretion of SHBG also was stimulated by the antiestrogen tamoxifen, although this required the use of longer incubation periods and higher concentrations than were required for the steroids. The antiandrogen cyproterone acetate and cortisol (5 microM) decreased SHBG secretion. Pregnanediol (5 microM) had no discernible effect. These changes were considered specific as none of the compounds altered either the secretion of total protein by the cells or their total protein content. Cells incubated with a mixture of E2 (0.5 microM) and T (0.5 microM) secreted significantly more SHBG than did cells incubated with E2 (1.0 microM), indicating these steroids exert their effects through different mechanisms. The increases with E2 and T were reduced significantly by tamoxifen and cyproterone acetate, respectively, suggesting receptor mediation of the steroid effects. The E2-related increase was abolished by cycloheximide, indicating that the changes were due to alterations in the synthesis of SHBG rather than to alterations in the release of previously synthesized protein. These findings suggest the T-related decrease in plasma SHBG levels may be due to causes other than a decrease in the hepatic synthesis of the protein. Additionally, they indicate that Hep G2 cells may prove suitable for examining the regulation of the SHBG gene by a variety of compounds.