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Human aromatase: Perspectives in biochemistry and biotechnology
Author(s) -
Di Nardo Giovanna,
Gilardi Gianfranco
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
biotechnology and applied biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.468
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1470-8744
pISSN - 0885-4513
DOI - 10.1002/bab.1088
Subject(s) - aromatase , estrogen , mechanism (biology) , aromatization , biology , enzyme , aromatase inhibitor , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , genetics , cancer , philosophy , epistemology , breast cancer , catalysis
Abstract Aromatase (CYP19) is involved in steroidogenesis, catalyzing the conversion of androgens into estrogens through a unique reaction that causes the aromatization of the A ring of the steroid. The enzyme is widely distributed and well conserved among species as it plays a crucial role in physiological processes such as control of reproduction and neuroprotection. It has also been a subject of intense research both at the biotechnological level in drug development due to its involvement in estrogen‐dependent tumors and at a fundamental biochemical level because there are numerous questions regarding its reaction mechanism. This review will report the great progress made in this area.