title: Expression of the type 1 and 2 steroid 5 alpha-reductases in human fetal tissues.
abstract: Androgens play a key role in human fetal development. Therefore, it is important to understand the distribution of the isozymes of 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone. The expression of the two isozymes of 5 alpha-reductase was studied in human fetal skin and fetal prostate by measuring the in vitro enzyme activity in crude preparations. Low levels of the type 1 5 alpha-reductase were found in fetal scalp and back skin. Studies with fetal prostate samples confirmed that the type 2 enzyme is expressed in levels similar to those found in adult tissues. These results provide the first evidence that both isozymes of 5 alpha-reductase are expressed during human fetal development.
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011467:Prostate / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D012535:Scalp / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase