11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD-11β or 11β-HSD) enzymes catalyze the conversion of inert 11 keto-products (cortisone) to active cortisol, or vice versa, thus regulating the access of glucocorticoids to the steroid receptors.

The human genome encodes two distinct HSD-11β isozymes (HSD-11β Type 1 and HSD-11β Type 2) on distinct genes. The dehydrogenase activity of a HSD-11β converts a 11beta-hydroxysteroid to the corresponding 11-oxosteroid by reducing NADP⁺ or NAD⁺. HSD-11βs are part of the larger class of oxidoreductases and HSD-11β Type 1 has oxidoreductase activity (the reverse of dehydrogenase activity). HSD-11βs participate in c21-steroid hormone metabolism and androgen and estrogen metabolism.