title: delta 4-3-Ketosteroid 5 alpha-oxidoreductase in human uterine leiomyoma.
abstract: Homogenates of human endometrial, myometrial, and leiomyoma tissues were incubated with (1,2,6,7-3H)-testosterone, and 3H-dihydrotestosterone was subsequently identified, indicating the presence of the enzyme delta 4-3-Ketosteroid 5 alpha-oxidoreductase. The enzyme activity of leiomyoma was higher than that of endometrial and myometrial tissue, while endometrial activity was higher than myometrial activity. The results raise the possibility that 5 alpha-reduced androgens may play a role in the pathophysiology of uterine leiomyoma.
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase