HSD17B2
protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens
17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (17β-HSD2) is an enzyme of the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) family that in humans is encoded by the HSD17B2 gene.
Function
17β-HSD2 is involved in inactivation of androgens and estrogens, being accurately describable as "antiandrogenic" and "antiestrogenic", and is the key 17β-HSD isozyme in androgen and estrogen inactivation. Specific reactions catalyzed by 17β-HSD2 include estradiol to estrone, testosterone to androstenedione, and androstenediol to DHEATooltip dehydroepiandrosterone. In addition to 17β-HSD activity, this enzyme also shows high 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and can activate the weak progestogen 20α-hydroxyprogesterone into the potent progestogen progesterone.
Expression
17β-HSD2 is widely expressed throughout the body including in the placenta, liver, intestines, endometrium, kidney, pancreas, breast, prostate, bone, and many other tissues.
Clinical significance
Polymorphisms in HSD17B2 have been associated with breast cancer and prostate cancer. 17β-HSD2 activity has also been associated with endometriosis and osteoporosis, and inhibitors of the enzyme are of potential interest in the treatment of the latter condition. Inactivating mutations resulting in a syndrome of congenital deficiency of 17β-HSD2 have not been reported to date.
The public source identifies “HSD17B2” as protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around HSD17B2, protein-coding and gene.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “HSD17B2”, the useful work is to connect “protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Stable identifiers, scientific names and standards terminology offer the best bridge between this overview and specialist evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 22, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q18027317. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
A general summary may omit uncertainty, sample limits or methodological disagreement that is explicit in the technical record. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “HSD17B2”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow HSD17B2 primary sources, HSD17B2 archive and HSD17B2 research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “HSD17B2”?
- Which observation, specimen, dataset or publication supports the account?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “HSD17B2” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.