TLDR Some prostate cancers have gene changes that may affect treatment with certain drugs.
The study investigated the SRD5A2 gene, which encodes the enzyme steroid 5alpha-reductase, in 30 prostate adenocarcinomas, identifying 17 de novo amino-acid substitutions in 13 tumors and six silent substitutions. Overall, 60% of the tumors had somatic substitutions in the gene's coding region. Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of these missense substitutions showed that two increased enzyme activity, potentially raising DHT levels and contributing to prostate cancer progression. The study highlighted variability in response to 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, suggesting that these findings should inform prevention and treatment strategies for prostate cancer.
30 citations
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October 2020 in “Nature Communications” Finasteride irreversibly affects human steroid 5α-reductase 2, providing insight into its catalytic mechanism and disease-related mutations.
72 citations
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January 2011 in “Current Pharmaceutical Design” S5αR inhibitors might help treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders but need more research.
18 citations
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June 2009 in “Journal of Molecular Endocrinology” Finasteride exposure harms tadpole reproduction and hormone balance.
18 citations
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March 2020 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” The enzymes 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase help create brain-active substances from progesterone and testosterone, which could be used for treatment, but more research is needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness.
50 citations
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February 2013 in “Annals of Clinical Biochemistry” Understanding how DHT works is important for diagnosing and treating hormone-related disorders.
233 citations
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November 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Creating stronger blockers for skin enzymes might lead to better treatment for conditions like acne and excessive hair growth.