5α-Reductases in Human Physiology: An Unfolding Story

The 2012 document reviewed literature from 1970 to 2011 on 5α-reductases, enzymes expressed in various tissues, including the central nervous system. These enzymes convert hormones like testosterone and progesterone into a subclass of neuroactive steroid hormones, which regulate functions such as sexual differentiation, neuroprotection, memory enhancement, anxiety, sleep, and stress. The 5α-reductase type 3 also plays a role in the N-glycosylation of proteins. These enzymes were targeted for drug development to treat conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. However, the document concluded that there was a need to better understand the function of 5α-reductases and the role of neuroactive steroids in human physiology to minimize potential adverse side effects of inhibitors targeting these enzymes.