3β-HSD I

3β-HSD I (3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type I) is a pivotal enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of pregnenolone and 17α-hydroxypregnenolone to progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, respectively, playing a central role in steroidogenesis pathways (e.g., glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and sex hormone synthesis). It participates in biological processes such as adrenal/gonadal hormone regulation, metabolic homeostasis, and reproductive development. Associated diseases include congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and certain hormone-dependent cancers.Agonists (e.g., natural substrate analogs) enhance its activity for hormone replacement therapy, while inhibitors (e.g., trilostane) block steroid synthesis, applied in researching CAH, prostate cancer, and Cushing's syndrome.