Formation of 2-Methoxyestradiol-17βin Human Steroid-Producing Tissues by a Transmethylation Reaction

Abstract

Human testis, ovary and adrenal were incubated with 2-hydroxyestradiol-17β, methionine-methyl-C¹⁴, adenosine triphosphate and other cofactors. 2-Methoxyestrone and 2-methoxyestradiol-17β were isolated from the incubations of gonadal tissue and 2-methoxyestradiol- 17β alone from the adrenal incubation. Methyl-C¹⁴ incorporation was measured in each case and testis was found to possess the greatest activity per gram of tissue. No evidence was obtained for the presence of 2-methoxy phenolic steroids more polar than 2-methoxyestradiol under the experimental conditions. It is concluded that the steroidproducing organs can transmethylate and that extrahepatic sites appear to be of primary importance as the source of urinary 2-methoxy-estrogens.