5-alpha Reductase

5-alpha Reductase

5α-reductases, also known as 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenases, are enzymes involved in steroid metabolism. They participate in 3 metabolic pathways: bile acid biosynthesis, androgen and estrogen metabolism, and prostate cancer.

5α-reductases catalyze the following chemical reaction:

a 3-oxo-5α-steroid + acceptor a 3-oxo-Delta₄-steroid + reduced acceptor

Thus, the two substrates of these enzymes are a 3-oxo-5α-steroid and acceptor, whereas its two products are 3-oxo-Delta4-steroid and a reduced acceptor.