HSD17B2


17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 is an enzyme of the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase family that in humans is encoded by the HSD17B2 gene.

Function

17β-HSD2 is involved in inactivation of androgens and estrogens, being accurately describable as "antiandrogenic" and "antiestrogenic", and is the key 17β-HSD isozyme in androgen and estrogen inactivation. Specific reactions catalyzed by 17β-HSD2 include estradiol to estrone, testosterone to androstenedione, and androstenediol to. In addition to 17β-HSD activity, this enzyme also shows high 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and can activate the weak progestogen 20α-hydroxyprogesterone into the potent progestogen progesterone.

Expression

17β-HSD2 is widely expressed throughout the body including in the placenta, liver, intestines, endometrium, kidney, pancreas, breast, prostate, bone, and many other tissues.

Clinical significance

s in HSD17B2 have been associated with breast cancer and prostate cancer. 17β-HSD2 activity has also been associated with endometriosis and osteoporosis, and inhibitors of the enzyme are of potential interest in the treatment of the latter condition. Inactivating mutations resulting in a syndrome of congenital deficiency of 17β-HSD2 have not been reported to date.