aromatases

aromatases

A class of enzymes that can act on steroids to produce aromatic rings. All the sex hormones are four-ring structures. The first of the four rings of an oestrogen steroid (the A ring) is aromatic; that of the androgens is not. Aromatases catalyze the desaturation of steroid A rings, so can convert androgens to oestrogens. See also AROMATASE INHIBITOR.