The Enzyme and Inhibitors of 4-Ene-3-Oxosteroid 5α-Oxidoreductase

The document reviews the research on 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and its inhibitors. Excessive DHT production is linked to various androgen-related disorders, including prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, acne, female hirsutism, and male pattern baldness, making 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors a potential treatment. The review covers the purification, characterization, and biological functions of the enzyme and its metabolites, as well as the development and evaluation of nonsteroidal and steroidal compounds as inhibitors. It provides a comparison of IC50 and Ki values for these compounds and serves as a reference for past accomplishments and future challenges in the field.