Roles of Steroid Sulfatase in Brain and Other Tissues
January 2008
in “
Physiological Research
”
TLDR Steroid sulfatase is important for activating hormones that affect memory, brain function, and certain diseases, and could be a target for treating hormone-related disorders.
The document reviewed the role of steroid sulfatase (STS) in steroid hormone metabolism, with a focus on its effects in the brain and nervous tissue, as well as its potential involvement in hormone-dependent tumors, neurological functions, and various diseases. STS is responsible for converting steroid sulfates into their active forms, influencing levels of hormones like DHEA and its sulfate DHEAS, which are associated with memory and neuronal functions. The enzyme's deficiency is linked to X-linked ichthyosis and its increased activity to androgenic alopecia in women. STS is also present in immune cells, affecting immune responses. The review suggests that targeting STS could be a therapeutic strategy for disorders related to steroid hormone imbalances. The document is a general review and does not report on a specific study with participants.
