Dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase, also known as DCXR, is an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of xylulose, converting it into xylitol. DCXR was expressed at low levels and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasmic membrane. In contrast, in virtually all grades of early-stage prostate cancer and in all chemohormonally treated cases, DCXR was strikingly overexpressed and was localized predominantly in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Recombinant human DCXR, fused to His-tag at N-terminus, was expressed in E.coli and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques.