Aromatase: Difference between revisions
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{{Image|Aromatase CytP450 with androstenedione.png|right|250px|Human placental aromatase bound to ligands [[androstenedione]] (cyan) and [[heme]] (yellow). Coordinates obtained by the RCSB Protein Data Bank (3EQM)}} | |||
'''Aromatase''' is an [[enzyme]] that removes the C-19 methyl group and oxidizes the 3- and 17-positions of steroids, including reactions that convert androgenic steroids (testosterone) into estrogenic steroids (estrogen). Because some tumors are estrogen-sensitive, [[aromatase inhibitor]]s are sometimes used to treat cancer, mostly in post-menopausal women because aromatase inhibitors do not block estrogen synthesis in the ovaries. | '''Aromatase''' is an [[enzyme]] that removes the C-19 methyl group and oxidizes the 3- and 17-positions of steroids, including reactions that convert androgenic steroids (testosterone) into estrogenic steroids (estrogen). Because some tumors are estrogen-sensitive, [[aromatase inhibitor]]s are sometimes used to treat cancer, mostly in post-menopausal women because aromatase inhibitors do not block estrogen synthesis in the ovaries. |
Revision as of 15:23, 31 May 2009
Aromatase is an enzyme that removes the C-19 methyl group and oxidizes the 3- and 17-positions of steroids, including reactions that convert androgenic steroids (testosterone) into estrogenic steroids (estrogen). Because some tumors are estrogen-sensitive, aromatase inhibitors are sometimes used to treat cancer, mostly in post-menopausal women because aromatase inhibitors do not block estrogen synthesis in the ovaries.