Biochemical mechanism of aromatization.
The aromatization of androgens to estrogens by placental aromatase involves three hydroxylations which take place in sequence. The first two occur at the C-19-methyl group while the site of the final and rate-determining hydroxylation has been identified as being at 2 beta. The product of this reaction collapses to estrogen by a rapid nonenzymatic mechanism. The absence of a direct relationship between the enzyme(s) responsible for estrogen formation and the end product results in an absence of product feedback inhibition, a consequence with potential physiological implications. The proposed mechanism of estrogen formation is supported by chemical, biochemical, and immunological evidence.
D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D004967:Estrogens; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D001141:Aromatase