Meta-Biol

• Pathways

The conversion of testosterone to the most potent androgen, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHTEST), is catalyzed by microsomal 5alpha-steroid reductase 2, (SRD5A2) (Andersson et al. 1991). SRD5A2 is highly expressed in the prostate but also in other androgen target sites. Defects in SRD5A2 are the cause of pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias, also known as male pseudohermaphroditism (Anwar et al. 1997). Corticotropin (Adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH) acts through the ACTH receptor called melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R) to stimulate steroidogenesis, increasing the production of androgens (McKenna et al. 1997).