Metabolism of androgens in human hyperplastic prostate: evidence for a differential localization of the enzymes involved in the metabolism

The subcellular distribution of 5 alpha-reductase, 17 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, 3 alpha- and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities was studied in human hyperplastic prostate. 5 alpha-reductase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities are located in the nuclear envelope. 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was almost equally distributed between cytosol and membranes, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was linked to all membranes. Direct testosterone metabolism (transformation into its active metabolite 5 alpha-DHT and into androstenedione, an inactive androgen) takes place only in the nucleus whereas indirect metabolism takes place mainly in the cytoplasm. These findings add new evidence for the mechanism of action of testosterone in prostatic tissue. Testosterone diffuses into the cell, migrates toward the nucleus and is transformed at the nuclear envelope level into two metabolites, DHT and androstenedione. After transformation into its active form, the hormone enters the nucleus whereas the inactive form is released into the cytoplasm. This metabolism could be seen as a control of the amount of active hormone entering the nucleus and being able to bind the androgen receptor.