3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3β-HSD) (EC 1.1.1.145) is an enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of the steroid progesterone from pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone from 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, and androstenedione from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the adrenal gland. It is the only enzyme in the adrenal pathway of corticosteroid synthesis that is not a member of the cytochrome P450 family. It is also present in other steroid-producing tissues, including the ovary, testis and placenta. In humans, there are two 3β-HSD isozymes encoded by the HSD3B1 and HSD3B2 genes.
3β-HSD is also known as delta Δ5-4-isomerase, which catalyzes the oxidative conversion of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids to the Δ4-3-keto configuration and is, therefore, essential for the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids, namely progesterone, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens.
The 3β-HSD complex is responsible for the conversion of: