Skip to main content

Cytochrome P450 19a1

Meaning

Cytochrome P450 19a1, commonly known as Aromatase, is a crucial enzyme belonging to the cytochrome P450 superfamily that catalyzes the final and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. This enzyme converts androgens, specifically testosterone and androstenedione, into the corresponding estrogens, estradiol and estrone, respectively. It is expressed in numerous tissues, including the ovaries, testes, adipose tissue, brain, and bone, making it a pivotal regulator of local and systemic estrogen levels. Clinically, Aromatase inhibitors are frequently used in oncology to suppress estrogen-dependent breast cancer growth.