Endocrine Abstracts

Glucocorticoids regulate transcription of many genes through the binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) however, their intracellular levels are tightly regulated by the microsomal enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Two isozymes of this enzyme have been cloned and characterised; 11beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) which is mainly expressed in the liver and adipose tissue and 11beta-HSD type 2 expressed in the kidney and placenta. Within 2.5kb...

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) catalyses the interconversion of hormonally active cortisol (F) and inactive cortisone (E). 11beta-HSD1 is an NADP(H) dependent enzyme expressed in human liver and adipose that is targeted to the ER membrane with a lumenal catalytic domain. In vivo the enzyme acts predominantly as a reductase, generating F from E. The inherited condition, Apparent Cortisone Reductase Deficiency (ACRD) is a form of PCOS characterised by ACTH medi...