How Does 3β-HSD Relate to Steroid Hormone Production?
3β-HSD is a key enzyme in the steroidogenesis pathway. It catalyzes the dehydrogenation and isomerization of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids to Δ4-ketosteroids. This step is crucial for the production of biologically active steroid hormones like progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol. Understanding its function and regulation is essential for comprehending how steroid hormones are synthesized and how their production can be disrupted in disease states.
