Hydroxylation of dehydroepiandrosterone in human scalp hair follicles

The dehydroepiandrosterone hydroxylating enzyme system in the hair follicle has been characterized. It is found in the particulate fraction of the follicle, and is inhibited by carbon monoxide and the cytochrome P450 inhibitor metyrapone, and appears to be dependent upon NADPH. In these major characteristics the hair follicle enzyme is very similar to the liver monooxygenase system.