| Modification Notes |
17∫-HSD3 (17∫ hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3) belongs to the 17∫-HSD family of proteins that regulate the availability of steroids within various tissues throughout the body. 17∫-HSD3 is expressed predominantly in the testis. It is an NADPH-dependent, membrane-bound enzyme. 17∫-HSD3 converts inactive steroids to their active form through its reductive activity. More specifically,17∫-HSD3 catalyzes the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone in the testis. The production of testosterone is necessary for male sex differentiation. Mutations in the gene that encodes this protein can result in an autosomal recessive male to female sex reversal. A deficiency of 17∫-HSD3 results in a defect in the biosynthesis of testosterone. 17∫-HSD3 inhibitors include 1,4-androstadiene-1,6,17-trione, androsterone 3∫-substituted derivatives, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, losulazine, amphetamine, methotrexate and S-petasine. |