Forms and functions of human SDR enzymes

Short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) are defined by distinct, common sequence motifs but constitute a functionally heterogenous superfamily of enzymes. Al present, well over 1600 members from all forms of life are anno tated in databases. Using the defined sequence motifs as queries, 37 distin ct human members of the SDR family can be retrieved. The functional assignm ents of these forms fall minimally into three main groups, enzymes involved in intermediary metabolism, enzymes participating in lipid hormone and med iator metabolism and open reading frames (ORFs) of yet undeciphered functio n. This overview, prepared just before completion of the human genome proje ct,:gives the different human SDR forms and relates them to human diseases. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.