AKR1C1
Description
The AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 10.
AKR1C1, also known as 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase 1/2, is an enzyme encoded by the AKR1C1 gene in humans. It belongs to the aldo/keto reductase superfamily, which consists of over 40 enzymes and proteins that catalyze the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols using NADH and/or NADPH. AKR1C1 plays a role in the reduction of progesterone to its inactive form, 20-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone. The AKR1C1 gene shares a high sequence similarity with three other gene members and is clustered with them on chromosome 10p15-p14.
AKR1C1 catalyzes the reduction of ketosteroids to hydroxysteroids using NADH and NADPH as cofactors. It primarily acts as a reductase in vivo, as its oxidase activity is inhibited by physiological levels of NADPH. AKR1C1 displays a wide substrate specificity, reducing steroids at positions 3, 17, and 20, and influencing the metabolism of hormones like estrogens and androgens. It can also reduce conjugated steroids, including 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone sulfate. Furthermore, AKR1C1 exhibits affinity for bile acids.
AKR1C1 is also known as 2-ALPHA-HSD, 20-ALPHA-HSD, C9, DD1, DD1/DD2, DDH, DDH1, H-37, HAKRC, HBAB, MBAB.
