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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/hsd3b2/

HSD3B2 gene

hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 2

Normal Function

The HSD3B2 gene provides instructions for making the 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) enzyme. This enzyme is found in the gonads, which are the ovaries in females and testes in males, and in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. Within these hormone-producing tissues, the 3β-HSD enzyme is necessary for the production of many hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, and estrogen. Cortisol has numerous functions such as maintaining energy and blood sugar (glucose) levels, protecting the body from stress, and suppressing inflammation. Aldosterone is sometimes called the salt-retaining hormone because it regulates the amount of salt retained by the kidney. The retention of salt affects fluid levels and blood pressure. Androgens and estrogen are essential for normal sexual development and reproduction.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency

At least 37 mutations in the HSD3B2 gene have been found to cause 3β-HSD deficiency. Most of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the 3β-HSD enzyme, which typically reduces the activity of the enzyme. Mutations that allow the production of some functional enzyme, although at reduced levels, cause the less severe, non-salt-wasting or non-classic forms of 3β-HSD deficiency. Other mutations result in the production of an abnormally short, completely nonfunctional 3β-HSD enzyme, which causes the more severe, salt-wasting form of this condition. All types of 3β-HSD deficiency interfere with the production of a variety of hormones and lead to abnormalities of sexual development and maturation.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • 3 beta-HSD type II
  • 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2
  • 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II, delta 5-delta 4-isomerase type II, 3 beta-HSD type II
  • 3 beta-ol dehydrogenase
  • 3-beta-hydroxy-5-ene steroid dehydrogenase
  • 3-beta-hydroxy-delta(5)-steroid dehydrogenase
  • 3BHS2_HUMAN
  • delta 5-delta 4-isomerase type II
  • HSD3B
  • HSDB

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Pang S, Carbunaru G, Haider A, Copeland KC, Chang YT, Lutfallah C, Mason JI. Carriers for type II 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2) deficiency can only be identified by HSD3B2 genotype study and not by hormone test. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2003 Mar;58(3):323-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01716.x. Citation on PubMed
  • Pang S, Wang W, Rich B, David R, Chang YT, Carbunaru G, Myers SE, Howie AF, Smillie KJ, Mason JI. A novel nonstop mutation in the stop codon and a novel missense mutation in the type II 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) gene causing, respectively, nonclassic and classic 3beta-HSD deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Jun;87(6):2556-63. doi: 10.1210/jcem.87.6.8559. Citation on PubMed
  • Pang S. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia owing to 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2001 Mar;30(1):81-99, vi-vii. doi: 10.1016/s0889-8529(08)70020-3. Citation on PubMed
  • Simard J, Moisan AM, Morel Y. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta(5)-Delta(4) isomerase deficiency. Semin Reprod Med. 2002 Aug;20(3):255-76. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-35373. Citation on PubMed
  • Simard J, Ricketts ML, Gingras S, Soucy P, Feltus FA, Melner MH. Molecular biology of the 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5-delta4 isomerase gene family. Endocr Rev. 2005 Jun;26(4):525-82. doi: 10.1210/er.2002-0050. Epub 2005 Jan 4. Citation on PubMed
  • Welzel M, Wustemann N, Simic-Schleicher G, Dorr HG, Schulze E, Shaikh G, Clayton P, Grotzinger J, Holterhus PM, Riepe FG. Carboxyl-terminal mutations in 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II cause severe salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Apr;93(4):1418-25. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-1874. Epub 2008 Feb 5. Citation on PubMed

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