The cDNA cloning and transient expression of a chicken gene encoding a 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-->4 isomerase unique to major steroidogenic tissues.

Two cDNA clones, on containing a 2.7-kb and the other a 1.6-kb insert, were obtained from a chicken adrenal gland cDNA library by screening with a partial chicken cDNA fragment generated by PCR. Primers were used that corresponded to conserved regions among several published cDNA sequences of mammalian 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-->4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD). Both clones contained the same open reading frame (ORF) encoding 377 amino acids (aa). The difference in their sizes was due to the use of different polyadenylation sites. The deduced aa sequence showed 54-57% overall identity with those of the human, macaque, bovine, mouse, rat and rainbow trout 3 beta-HSD. A 9-aa stretch (FYYISDDTP) is conserved among the chicken, mammalian and rainbow trout 3 beta-HSD, suggesting that it is essential for enzymatic activity. Northern blot hybridization demonstrated the presence of two types of mRNA, corresponding to the above two cDNA classes, in the adrenal gland, ovary and testis. Transient expression of the chicken ORF in COS-7 cells demonstrated coupled dehydrogenase and isomerase activities of 3 beta-HSD on three different substrates; pregnenolone, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Among the Km values determined for the three substrates, that for dehydroepiandrosterone was the lowest, which was different from the case for human 3 beta-HSD.