(ri-dŭk′tās″)

(ri-dŭk′tāz″)

[reduct(ion) + -ase]
An enzyme that accelerates the reduction process of chemical compounds.

aldose reductase

An enzyme that makes up part of the metabolic pathway that converts glucose to fructose and sorbitol. Fructose and sorbitol may damage nerves, the retina, and the lens of the eye when they accumulate excessively, e.g., in poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

5-alpha reductase

An enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
SEE: dihydrotestosterone; SEE: testosterone

quinone reductase

An enzyme produced within the cytosol of cells that metabolizes the conversion of quinones like ubiquinone to inactive substances.

vitamin K epoxide reductase

An enzyme that is a coagulation factor. It inhibits the activation of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the bloodstream and alters a person's sensitivity to warfarin.