mouse monoclonal IgG1; 5α-Reductase 2 Antibody (1F4) is an IgG1 κ mouse monoclonal 5 alpha-Reductase 2 antibody (also designated 5α-Reductase 2 antibody) that detects the 5 alpha-Reductase 2 protein of human origin by WB, IP and ELISA. 5α-Reductase 2 Antibody (1F4) is available as the non-conjugated anti-5 alpha-Reductase 2 antibody. Steroid 5a-Reductase is an important enzyme in androgen physiology because it catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into the more potent 5a-dihydro-testosterone, which mediates androgen effects on target tissues. The enzyme exists as two isoforms: type 1, which is expressed mainly in the skin; and type 2, which is expressed mainly in the prostate. In cultured human skin cells, 5a-Reductase 1 shows heterogeneity of protein, and has different levels of transcriptional and translational expression. 5a-Reductase 1 is expressed in all portions of the hair follicle, whereas 5a-Reductase 2 is expressed only in mesenchymal portions. In addition, 5a-Reductase 1 is mainly expressed in human breast carcinoma and may play a role in the in situ production and actions of the potent androgen 5a-dihydrotestosterone, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in hormone-dependent human breast carcinoma. The 5a-Reductase-3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase complex is present in the human brain, suggesting that the complex may be involved in the synthesis of neuroactive steroids or the catabolism of neurotoxic steroids.