Encyclopedia
Steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2: The SRD5A2 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called steroid 5-alpha reductase 2.
- genes
1. Normal Function
The SRD5A2 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called steroid 5-alpha reductase 2. This enzyme is involved in processing androgens, which are hormones that direct male sexual development. Specifically, the enzyme is responsible for a chemical reaction that converts the hormone testosterone to a more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in male reproductive tissues.
Testosterone and DHT are essential for the normal development of male sex characteristics. Before birth, testosterone is responsible for the formation of internal male genitalia, including the tubes that collect sperm and carry it out of the testes (the epididymis and vas deferens) and glands that help produce semen (the seminal vesicles). DHT directs the development of the external genitalia, including the penis and scrotum, and the prostate gland. During puberty, these two hormones also play an important role in the development of male secondary sex characteristics such as the growth of facial and body hair, increased muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.
Testosterone and DHT are essential for the normal development of male sex characteristics. Before birth, testosterone is responsible for the formation of internal male genitalia, including the tubes that collect sperm and carry it out of the testes (the epididymis and vas deferens) and glands that help produce semen (the seminal vesicles). DHT directs the development of the external genitalia, including the penis and scrotum, and the prostate gland. During puberty, these two hormones also play an important role in the development of male secondary sex characteristics such as the growth of facial and body hair, increased muscle mass, and deepening of the voice.
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1.
5-alpha reductase deficiency
About 50 mutations in the SRD5A2 gene have been identified in people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency. Most of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in steroid 5-alpha reductase 2. Some of these genetic changes render the enzyme completely inactive. Other mutations reduce but do not eliminate the enzyme's function.
About 50 mutations in the SRD5A2 gene have been identified in people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency. Most of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in steroid 5-alpha reductase 2. Some of these genetic changes render the enzyme completely inactive. Other mutations reduce but do not eliminate the enzyme's function.
As a result of SRD5A2 mutations, the body cannot effectively convert testosterone to DHT in reproductive tissues. A shortage of DHT disrupts the formation of external genitalia before birth. People with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are genetically male, with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, but they may be born with external genitalia that look predominantly female, or that are not clearly male or clearly female (sometimes called ambiguous genitalia). Other affected infants have external genitalia that appear predominantly male, but they often have an unusually small penis (micropenis) and the urethra opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias).
As a result of SRD5A2 mutations, the body cannot effectively convert testosterone to DHT in reproductive tissues. A shortage of DHT disrupts the formation of external genitalia before birth. People with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are genetically male, with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, but they may be born with external genitalia that look predominantly female, or that are not clearly male or clearly female (sometimes called ambiguous genitalia). Other affected infants have external genitalia that appear predominantly male, but they often have an unusually small penis (micropenis) and the urethra opening on the underside of the penis (hypospadias).
During puberty, the testes produce more testosterone. Researchers believe that people with 5-alpha reductase deficiency develop secondary male sex characteristics in response to higher levels of this hormone. Some affected people also retain a small amount of 5-alpha reductase 2 activity, which may produce DHT and contribute to the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty.
More About This Health Condition2.2.
Prostate cancer
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Prostate cancer
More About This Health ConditionOther disorders
In women, certain polymorphisms in the SRD5A2 gene may affect the risk of developing a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular menstruation, acne, excess body hair (hirsutism), and weight gain. Some genetic variations increase the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 in the ovaries, which could contribute to the signs and symptoms of this condition. Other variations, including the common polymorphism Val89Leu, reduce the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 and are associated with a reduced risk of developing PCOS.
In women, certain polymorphisms in the SRD5A2 gene may affect the risk of developing a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular menstruation, acne, excess body hair (hirsutism), and weight gain. Some genetic variations increase the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 in the ovaries, which could contribute to the signs and symptoms of this condition. Other variations, including the common polymorphism Val89Leu, reduce the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 and are associated with a reduced risk of developing PCOS.
2.3.
Cancers
Certain normal variations (polymorphisms) in the SRD5A2 gene may be associated with prostate cancer. Two of these polymorphisms have been studied extensively. The most common variation replaces the amino acid valine with the amino acid leucine at position 89 in steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 (written as Val89Leu or V89L). The other variation replaces the amino acid alanine with the amino acid threonine at position 49 in the enzyme (written as Ala49Thr or A49T). Some studies have suggested that these variations are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer or having a more aggressive form of the disease. Other studies, however, have not shown these associations. It remains unclear what role SRD5A2 polymorphisms play in prostate cancer risk.
Certain normal variations (polymorphisms) in the SRD5A2 gene may be associated with prostate cancer. Two of these polymorphisms have been studied extensively. The most common variation replaces the amino acid valine with the amino acid leucine at position 89 in steroid 5-alpha reductase 2 (written as Val89Leu or V89L). The other variation replaces the amino acid alanine with the amino acid threonine at position 49 in the enzyme (written as Ala49Thr or A49T). Some studies have suggested that these variations are associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer or having a more aggressive form of the disease. Other studies, however, have not shown these associations. It remains unclear what role SRD5A2 polymorphisms play in prostate cancer risk.
Some gene mutations are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells. These changes, which are called somatic mutations, are not inherited. Studies have shown that somatic SRD5A2 mutations in prostate cancer cells may be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. These mutations may increase the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2, which would raise the levels of DHT in prostate tissue. Research has shown that androgens such as DHT can stimulate prostate cancer growth.
Some gene mutations are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells. These changes, which are called somatic mutations, are not inherited. Studies have shown that somatic SRD5A2 mutations in prostate cancer cells may be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. These mutations may increase the activity of steroid 5-alpha reductase 2, which would raise the levels of DHT in prostate tissue. Research has shown that androgens such as DHT can stimulate prostate cancer growth.
3. Other Names for This Gene
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3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase 2
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5 alpha-SR2
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MGC138457
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S5A2_HUMAN
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SR type 2
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steroid 5-alpha-reductase 2
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steroid-5-alpha-reductase, alpha polypeptide 2 (3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase alpha 2)
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Type II 5-alpha reductase
- 3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase 2
- 5 alpha-SR2
- MGC138457
- S5A2_HUMAN
- SR type 2
- steroid 5-alpha-reductase 2
- steroid-5-alpha-reductase, alpha polypeptide 2 (3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase alpha 2)
- Type II 5-alpha reductase
References
- Cicek MS, Conti DV, Curran A, Neville PJ, Paris PL, Casey G, Witte JS.Association of prostate cancer risk and aggressiveness to androgen pathway genes:SRD5A2, CYP17, and the AR. Prostate. 2004 Apr 1;59(1):69-76.
- Goodarzi MO, Shah NA, Antoine HJ, Pall M, Guo X, Azziz R. Variants in the5alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 genes are associated with polycystic ovarysyndrome and the severity of hirsutism in affected women. J Clin EndocrinolMetab. 2006 Oct;91(10):4085-91.
- Kim KS, Liu W, Cunha GR, Russell DW, Huang H, Shapiro E, Baskin LS. Expressionof the androgen receptor and 5 alpha-reductase type 2 in the developing humanfetal penis and urethra. Cell Tissue Res. 2002 Feb;307(2):145-53.
- Makridakis N, Akalu A, Reichardt JK. Identification and characterization ofsomatic steroid 5alpha-reductase (SRD5A2) mutations in human prostate cancertissue. Oncogene. 2004 Sep 23;23(44):7399-405.
- Ntais C, Polycarpou A, Ioannidis JP. SRD5A2 gene polymorphisms and the risk ofprostate cancer: a meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2003Jul;12(7):618-24.
- Russell DW, Wilson JD. Steroid 5 alpha-reductase: two genes/two enzymes. Annu Rev Biochem. 1994;63:25-61. Review.
- Salam MT, Ursin G, Skinner EC, Dessissa T, Reichardt JK. Associations between polymorphisms in the steroid 5-alpha reductase type II (SRD5A2) gene and benignprostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Urol Oncol. 2005 Jul-Aug;23(4):246-53.
- Sasaki G, Ogata T, Ishii T, Kosaki K, Sato S, Homma K, Takahashi T, HasegawaT, Matsuo N. Micropenis and the 5alpha-reductase-2 (SRD5A2) gene: mutation andV89L polymorphism analysis in 81 Japanese patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003Jul;88(7):3431-6.
- Wang Y, Li Q, Xu J, Liu Q, Wang W, Lin Y, Ma F, Chen T, Li S, Shen Y. Mutationanalysis of five candidate genes in Chinese patients with hypospadias. Eur J Hum Genet. 2004 Sep;12(9):706-12.
- Wilson JD, Griffin JE, Russell DW. Steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 deficiency.Endocr Rev. 1993 Oct;14(5):577-93. Review.
