Steroid sulfatase formerly known as arylsulfatase C, is a sulfatase

Sulfatase

Sulfatases are enzymes of the esterase class that catalyze the hydrolysis of sulfate esters. These may be found on a range of substrates, including steroids, carbohydrates and proteins. Sulfate esters may be formed from various alcohols and amines...

 enzyme

Enzyme

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...

 involved in the metabolism of steroids. It is encoded by the STS gene.

Function

The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the conversion of sulfated steroid precursors to estrogens during pregnancy. The encoded protein is found in the endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle of cells in eukaryotic organisms that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae...

, where it acts as a homodimer.

Clinical significance

A deficiency is associated with X-linked ichthyosis

X-linked ichthyosis

X-linked ichthyosis is a skin condition caused by the hereditary deficiency of the steroid sulfatase enzyme that affects 1 in 2000 to 1 in 6000 males. XLI manifests with dry, scaly skin and is due to deletions or mutations in the STS gene...

, a scaly-skin disease affecting roughly 1 in every 2,000-6,000 males.

Further reading

External links