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Genes for Enzymes Regulating Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfonation Are Associated with Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Departments of Medicine (M.O.G., H.J.A.), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (M.O.G., R.A.), and Medical Genetics Institute (M.O.G.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048; and Departments of Medicine (M.O.G., R.A.), and Obstetrics and Gynecology (R.A.), the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90025

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Ricardo Azziz, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8635 West Third Street, Suite 160W, Los Angeles, California 90048. E-mail: azzizr{at}cshs.org.

Context: The adrenal androgen (AA) metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is often elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); AA excess in PCOS appears to be, in part, a heritable trait. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfonation is controlled by the enzymes DHEA sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) and steroid sulfatase (STS). Polymorphisms in these genes have not been evaluated as modulators of DHEAS level in PCOS.

Objective: The aim was to test the hypothesis that variants in the SULT2A1 and STS genes are associated with DHEAS levels in women with PCOS.

Design: Women with and without PCOS were genotyped for seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SULT2A1 and seven SNPs in STS. SNPs and haplotypes were determined and tested for association with DHEAS.

Setting: Subjects were recruited from the reproductive endocrinology clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; controls were recruited from the surrounding community. Genotyping took place at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Participants: A total of 287 white women with PCOS and 187 controls participated in the study.

Main Measurements: SULT2A1 and STS genotype and DHEAS levels were measured.

Results: In women with PCOS, SNP rs182420 in SULT2A1 was associated with DHEAS (P = 0.0035). Two haplotypes carrying the minor allele of rs182420 were also associated with DHEAS (P = 0.04 each). Variants within STS were not associated with DHEAS level. No associations were observed in control women.

Conclusion: This study presents genetic evidence suggesting a potential role of SULT2A1, but not STS, in the inherited AA excess of PCOS.

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