Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP−Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor
March 1996
in “Journal of the American Chemical Society”
TLDR Finasteride effectively blocks enzyme causing male pattern baldness.
This scientific paper from 1996 explores the mechanism by which finasteride inhibits human steroid 5α-reductase, an enzyme involved in the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is linked to male pattern baldness. The study found that finasteride acts as a potent bisubstrate analog inhibitor, forming a noncovalent complex with the enzyme that is irreversible and has a dissociation constant of K₁* ≤ 3 × 10-13 M. The study provides important insights into the mechanism of action of finasteride, which is commonly used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
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Cited in this study
research The clinical development of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, finasteride
Finasteride effectively treats BPH, but needs more trials to understand potential.
research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers*
Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.
research Species Differences in Prostatic Steroid 5α-Reductases of Rat, Dog, and Human
Different animals have unique versions of the enzyme that changes testosterone into another hormone, which is important for creating effective treatments for prostate and hair loss conditions.
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New hybrid compound found to effectively prevent hair loss.
research Determination of rat 5α-reductase type 1 isozyme activity and its inhibition by novel steroidal oxazolines
New steroidal compounds moderately block an enzyme related to testosterone conversion, less effectively than finasteride.
research New Progesterone Esters as 5.ALPHA.-Reductase Inhibitors.
Some new progesterone derivatives are better at blocking testosterone conversion than a common drug.
research Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP−Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor
Finasteride effectively blocks enzyme causing male pattern baldness.