Human prostatic dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate sulfatase

Because of the evidence of adrenal steroid support of normal prostate growth and perhaps in the exacerbation of prostatic carcinoma and in consideration of the large pool of such material, conjugated with sulfate in the blood stream, measurements were made of the prostatic concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfatase and factors which might affect its activity. The enzyme was found to have a high substrate concentration, 5 × 10 −6M, for half maximum velocity. Its specific activity is significantly higher in glands exhibiting benign epithelial hyperplasia than in those with stromal hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and especially 5α-androstan-3α,17β-diol, at concentrations approximating those found in vivo , inhibit sulfatase activity. The antiandrogens, diethylstilbestrol and 17α-hydroxprogesterone, are effective inhibitors, also. The potential capability of enhanced DHEASO 4 mobilization, following depletion of testicular androgens, to negate the benefits of castration or estrogen therapy is considered along with other aspects of the latter treatment on hormone balance at the prostatic level.