Enzymes

Question 1

What is CYP17A1, and what are its functions?

Answer 1

CYP17A1 is an enzyme that hydroxylates pregnenolone and progesterone to produce androgen precursors like DHEA and androstenedione, which are further processed into testosterone and oestrogen.

Question 2

What is the role of 5alpha-reductase?

Answer 2

It converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen essential for masculinization.

Question 3

What is aromatase, and what does it do?

Answer 3

Aromatase converts androgens into estrogens, such as testosterone to estradiol and androstenedione to estrone.

Question 4

What does a mutation in the CYP17A1 result in?

Answer 4

no production of 19-carbon steroids therefore no sex steroids

Question 5

What can excess aromatase lead to?

Answer 5

Gynecomastia in boys and precocious puberty in girls

Question 6

What can a deficiency in aromatase lead to?

Answer 6

Virilization in girls