Cholesterol synthesizes steroid hormones through a specific multi-step process that begins with the production of pregnenolone.
Here's a breakdown:
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Initial Conversion: Cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone. This crucial first step involves the enzymatic cleavage of a six-carbon side chain from cholesterol. The enzyme responsible for this reaction is cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc, CYP11A1) [1-3].
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Pregnenolone as a Precursor: Pregnenolone serves as the common precursor steroid for all steroid hormones [1-3]. This means that all major steroid hormones are derived from pregnenolone through a series of enzymatic transformations.
In summary, cholesterol's role in hormone synthesis centers on its initial transformation into pregnenolone, which then acts as the foundation for creating various steroid hormones.
