ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the states of knowledge on the synthesis and metabolism of C21 and C19 steroid sulfates in mammalian tissues. The major emphasis is on the two classes of enzymes which determine the concentration and distribution of steroid sulfates: steroid sulfotransferases that catalyze the formation of the compounds and steroid sulfatases that catalyze their hydrolysis to free steroids. Steroid sulfotransferases are soluble enzymes which are found in relatively high concentration in a variety of adult mammalian tissues. The livers of all species studied to appear to contain steroid sulfotransferases. Most studies of steroid sulfotransferases have been conducted using liver as the enzyme source. Although investigations on steroid sulfotransferases in gonads are very limited, there are several studies on secretion and tissue concentration of gonadal steroid sulfates that indicate, especially in the testis, the presence of steroid sulfotransferases in these tissues.
