Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2 (AKR1C2)

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2 is a cytosolic enzyme belonging to the aldo/keto reductase superfamily that catalyzes the NADH/NADPH-dependent reduction of ketosteroids to hydroxysteroids. It displays broad substrate specificity at positions 3, 17, and 20 on steroids—regulating key steps in estrogen and androgen metabolism—and plays an important role in converting potent hormones like dihydrotestosterone into less active metabolites. The protein also binds bile acids with high affinity but has minimal activity as a classic "3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase." Mutations can cause disorders such as "46,XY sex reversal," while aberrant expression is linked with oncogenic processes including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via PI3K/AKT pathway activation.

Other names

AKR1C23-alpha-HSD3Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase 2 (DDH2)Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase/bile acid-binding protein (DD/BABP)Chlordecone reductase homolog (HAKRD)DD; DD-2; DD/BABP; DD2MCDR2HBABPseudo-chlordecone reductaseSRXY8

Drugs targeting this molecule would likely act as inhibitors or modulators of its enzymatic activity—specifically inhibiting the reduction of ketosteroids to hydroxysteroids or altering androgen/estrogen metabolism pathways.