Rabbit polyclonal antibody to HSD3B2

3 beta~hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β~HSD), also known as HSD3B1 or HSDB3, is a bifunctional enzyme that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids. Two human 3β~HSD proteins, designated type I (3β~HSD) and type II (3β~HSD2), are expressed by different genes and function in different areas of the body. Localized to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and expressed in skin and placenta, 3β~HSD is the type I protein that catalyzes the oxidative conversion of ∂5~ene~3~beta~hydroxy steroid, as well as the conversion of various ketosteroids. Defects in the gene encoding 3β~HSD are associated with classic salt wasting, genital ambiguity, hypogonadism, insulin~resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and an increased susceptibility to prostate cancer. Additionally, congenital deficiency of 3β~HSD activity results in a severe depletion of steroid formation which can be lethal in young children.