AKR1C1 Human, His

Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C1 (AKR1C1) is a protein encoded by the AKR1C1 gene. This protein is part of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, which consists of more than 40 known enzymes and proteins. These enzymes catalyze the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols by utilizing NADH and/or NADPH as cofactors .

The human recombinant AKR1C1 protein is often produced with a His tag, which is a sequence of histidine residues added to the protein to facilitate purification. The recombinant AKR1C1 fused to a 20 amino acid His tag at the N-terminus is produced in E. coli and is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 343 amino acids, with a molecular mass of approximately 38.9 kDa .

AKR1C1 plays a significant role in steroid metabolism. It catalyzes the reduction of progesterone to the inactive form, 20-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone . This enzyme also exhibits 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) activity, which is crucial for progesterone metabolism and the maintenance of pregnancy . Additionally, AKR1C1 has been implicated in the metabolism of other steroids and prostaglandins, contributing to various physiological processes.

AKR1C1 is involved in several biological pathways, including the synthesis of bile acids and bile salts, as well as visual phototransduction . It has been associated with diseases such as developmental dysplasia of the hip and lipedema . The enzyme’s role in steroid metabolism makes it a critical player in reproductive biology and endocrine regulation.

Recent studies have highlighted the role of AKR1C1 in regulating the differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hASCs). It acts as a negative regulator of osteogenesis and a positive regulator of adipogenesis via its enzyme activity . This makes AKR1C1 a potential target for modifying stem cells in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.