Abstract
Conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) has been demonstrated to be catalyzed by two isoforms of steroid 5α-reductase, designated types I and II. Although several classes of steroid-based inhibitors of the type II isoform have been identified, these agents have not demonstrated highly selective pharmacological activity against human type I 5α-reductase. LY191704 is representative of a series of nonsteroidal agents that have potent [apparent inhibitory constant (K(i)) = 11.3 nM] inhibitory activity in human scalp skin homogenates (pH 7.5), a source of type I 5α- reductase. [3H]-DHT production in the presence and absence of LY191704 is consistent with a noncompetitive mode of inhibition. In human prostatic homogenates (pH 5.5), a source of type II 5α-reductase, LY191704 is virtually inactive as an inhibitor [concentration of inhibitor producing 50% inhibition of enzymatic activity (IC50) > 1,000 nM] of [3H[-DHT formation. LY191704 does not inhibit the type I or type II isoforms of rat 5α- reductase, nor does the compound compete for binding to the murine androgen receptor expressed in SF9 cells using a baculovirus expression system. The benzoquinolinones, as exemplified by LY191704, possess exquisite pharmacological selectivity and provide a tool to understand the role of human type I 5α-reductase in normal and pathophysiological states. These agents may also find clinical utility in treating androgen-dependent dermatological conditions.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 2055-2060 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism |
Volume | 81 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Biochemistry, medical