Aromatase belongs to the group of cytochrome P450 enzymes (EC 1.14.14.1) and mediates the aromatization of androgens to estrogens. Cytochrome P450 Oxidase (CYP2E1) Cytochrome P450 oxidase (commonly abbreviated CYP) is a generic term for a large number of related, but distinct, oxidative enzymes (EC 1. ... Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = blend) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ... EC numbers (Enzyme Commission numbers) are a numerical classification scheme for enzymes, based on the chemical reactions they catalyze. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ... Estrogens (also oestrogens) are a group of steroid compounds that function as the primary female sex hormone. ...

Gene

The gene CYP19, located on chromosome 15q21.1, encodes the aromatase enzyme. huh? This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... Figure 1: Chromosome. ...

Location

The enzyme is located in the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell and its activity is regulated by tissue specific promotors that are in turn controlled by hormones, cytokines, and other factors. The principal action of the enzyme transforms androstenedione to estrone and testosterone to estradiol. The aromatase enzyme can be found in many tissues including gonads, brain, adipose tissue, placenta, blood vessels, skin, bone, endometrium as well as in tissue of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. ωThe endoplasmic reticulum or ER (endoplasmic means within the cytoplasm, reticulum means little net) is an organelle found in all eukaryotic cells. ... Hormone is also the NATO reporting name for the Soviet/Russian Kamov Ka-25 military helicopter. ... Cytokines are small protein molecules that are the core of communication between immune system cells, and even between immune system cells and cells belonging to other tissue types. ... Androstenedione is a 19-carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads as an intermediate step in the biochemical pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol. ... Structural formula of estrone Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by the ovary. ... Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. ... Estradiol (17-beta estradiol) is a sex hormone. ... A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Comparative brain sizes In the anatomy of animals, the brain, or encephalon (Greek for in the head), is the higher, supervisory center of the nervous system. ... Adipose tissue is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. ... Human placenta shown a few minutes after birth. ... The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Model of the layers of human skin In zootomy and dermatology, skin is an organ of the integumentary system; which is composed of a layer of tissues that protect underlying muscles and organs. ... Grays illustration of a human femur, a typically recognized bone. ... The endometrium is the uterine membrane in mammals which is thickened in preparation for the implantation, of a fertilized egg upon its arrival into the uterus. ... Uterine fibroids (leiomyomata, singular leiomyoma) are the most common neoplasm in females, and may affect about of 25 % of white and 50% of black women during the reproductive years. ... Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. ... Endometrial cancer involves cancerous growth of the endometrium (lining of the uterus). ...

Activity

Factors known to increase aromatase activity include age, obesity, insulin, gonadotropins, and alcohol. Aromatase activity is decreased by prolactin, AMH, and smoking. Aromatase activity appears to be enhanced in certain estrogen-dependent local tissue next to breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Look up Age on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Age may refer to: The length of time that a person has lived, reckoned from date of birth in most cultures; see also: ageing, for the social, cultural, and economic factors of age and ageing. ... The structure of insulin Red: carbon; green: oxygen; blue: nitrogen; pink: sulfur. ... Gonadotropins are protein hormones secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland of vertebrates. ... In general usage, alcohol (from Arabic al-ghawl الغول) refers almost always to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol (see alcoholic beverage). ... Prolactin is a hormone synthesised and secreted by lactotrope cells in the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary gland). ... Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a dimeric glycoprotein that inhibits the development of the Müllerian ducts in a male embryo. ... 1: cigar box 2: cigar 3: various pipes 4: waterpipe 5: joss stick 6: bong Various smoking equipment including different pipes, and cigars. ...

Aromatase excess syndrome

A number of investigators have reported on a rather rare syndrome of excess aromatase activity. In boys it can lead to gynecomastia and in girls to precocious puberty and macromastia. In both genders, early epiphyseal closure leads to shortness. Gynecomastia (American English) or gynaecomastia (British English) is the development of abnormally large breasts on men. ... Precocious puberty means early puberty. ...

Aromatase deficiency syndrome

This syndrome is due to a mutation of gene CYP19 and inherited in an autosomal recessive way. Accumulations of androgens during pregnancy may lead to virilization of a female at birth (males are not affected). Females will have primary amenorrhea. Individuals of both genders will be tall. In genetics, the term recessive gene refers to an allele that causes a phenotype (visible or detectable characteristic) that is only seen in a homozygous genotype (an organism that has two copies of the same allele). ... In biology and medicine, virilization refers to the development of changes which make a male body different from a female body. ... Amenorrhoea (BE) or amenorrhea (AmE) is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. ...

Aromatase inhibitors

The inhibition of the enzyme leads to profound hypoestrogenism (low estrogen levels). Thus aromatase inhibitors have become useful in the management of patients with breast cancer whose lesion was found to be estrogen receptor positive. Hypoestrogenism refers to a lower than normal level of estrogen. ... Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in post- menopausal women. ... Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. ... The estrogen receptor is a receptor for estradiol (the main endogenous estrogen); it is located intracellularly, in parallel with other steroid hormone receptors. ...