Cyanoketone
Cyanoketone, also known as 2α-cyano-4,4',17α-trimethylandrost-5-en-17β-ol-3-one (CTM),[1] is a synthetic androstane steroid and a steroidogenesis inhibitor which is used in scientific research.[2][3][4] On account of its structural similarity to pregnenolone, cyanoketone binds to and acts as a potent, selective, and irreversible inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD),[1][5] an enzyme that is responsible for the conversion of pregnenolone into progesterone, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone into 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEA into androstenedione, and androstenediol into testosterone.[2][3][6] As such, cyanoketone inhibits the production of both gonadal and adrenal steroids, including progesterone,[5] androgens, estrogens, and corticosteroids.[3][6] The drug is too toxic for therapeutic use in humans, and so has been used instead exclusively as a research tool.[2][3] See alsoReferences
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