The HSD17B7 antibody targets the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7 (HSD17B7), a member of the 17β-HSD family involved in steroid metabolism. HSD17B7 primarily catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol and androstenedione to testosterone, playing a dual role in estrogen and androgen biosynthesis. It also participates in cholesterol synthesis by reducing ketosterols to intermediates in the Bloch pathway. This enzyme is expressed in steroidogenic tissues (e.g., ovaries, testes) and non-steroidogenic organs (e.g., liver, brain), linking it to reproductive health, lipid homeostasis, and neurosteroid regulation.
HSD17B7 antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function in cellular models and tissues. They enable detection via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, aiding research on HSD17B7's role in diseases such as hormone-dependent cancers (e.g., breast, prostate), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and metabolic disorders. Dysregulation of HSD17B7 has been implicated in tumor progression due to altered steroid hormone levels, while its cholesterol-related activity may influence neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. These antibodies also support drug development targeting HSD17B7 to modulate steroid pathways or cholesterol synthesis. Validation of antibody specificity remains critical due to structural similarities among 17β-HSD isoforms.