17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) (17β-HSD)

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) are a family of enzymes that play a critical role in the final steps of steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism [2.3.1, 2.4.1]. They primarily catalyze the interconversion between less active 17-ketosteroids (e.g., estrone, androstenedione) and highly active 17β-hydroxysteroids (e.g., estradiol, testosterone) using NAD(P)H or NAD(P)+ as cofactors [2.3.1, 2.4.2]. By regulating the local availability of active ligands for nuclear receptors, these enzymes act as pre-receptor molecular switches in various tissues [2.4.1, 2.4.5]. Dysregulation of specific 17β-HSD isoforms is implicated in several hormone-dependent diseases, including breast and prostate cancers, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome [2.2.1, 2.4.4]. Additionally, certain isoforms like 17β-HSD13 are involved in lipid metabolism and are linked to the progression of chronic liver diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [3.2.2, 3.4.1]. Therapeutic strategies focus on the development of selective inhibitors or RNA interference therapies to modulate local hormone or lipid levels, offering a targeted approach to treating endocrine and metabolic disorders [2.4.2, 3.2.1, 3.3.1].

Other names

17-ketosteroid reductase17-KSRHSD17BEstradiol 17-beta-dehydrogenaseTestosterone 17-beta-dehydrogenaseHydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase

Inhibition of the enzymatic conversion between inactive and active steroid forms (e.g., estrone to estradiol or androstenedione to testosterone) to modulate local hormone levels in target tissues.