Androgen metabolism in the brain.
The paper summarizes the most recent views on androgen metabolism in the brain. In particular it will be shown that: (1) the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase is particularly concentrated in the white matter; (2) 5 alpha-reductase is also present in the myelin; 5 alpha-reductase is present in higher concentrations in neurons (isolated or cultured) that in glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes); (4) only neurons possess the capability of aromatizing androgens to estrogens; and (5) a possible role of steroid metabolism in the control of the process of myelinogenesis is suggested.
Martini
L
L
Istituto di Endocrinologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Melcangi
R C
RC
D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000201:enzymology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000201:enzymology; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats
D000728:Androgens; D001141:Aromatase; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase