InterPro domain: IPR016636

General Information

  • Identifier IPR016636
  • Description 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase

Abstract

Synonym(s): Steroid 5-alpha-reductase

3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenases, 1.3.99.5 catalyse the conversion of 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid + acceptor to 3-oxo-delta(4)-steroid + reduced acceptor. The steroid 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is responsible for the formation of dihydrotestosterone, this hormone promotes the differentiation of male external genitalia and the prostate during foetal development [ 1 ]. In humans mutations in this enzyme can cause a form of male pseudohermaphorditism in which the external genitalia and prostate fail to develop normally.


1. Characterization and chromosomal mapping of a human steroid 5 alpha-reductase gene and pseudogene and mapping of the mouse homologue. Genomics 11, 1102-12

Species distribution

Gene table