Steroidogenesis

Steroidogenesis (pronunciation: /ˌstɛrɔɪdoʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/) is the biological process by which steroids are generated from cholesterol and transformed into other steroids. The pathways of steroidogenesis differ among species.

Etymology

The term "steroidogenesis" is derived from the words "steroid" and "genesis". "Steroid" comes from the Greek word "stereos" meaning solid, and "genesis" from the Greek word "genos" meaning birth. Thus, steroidogenesis essentially means the birth or creation of steroids.

Process

Steroidogenesis begins with the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria. This is facilitated by the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR). Once inside the mitochondria, cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone by the enzyme P450scc. Pregnenolone then serves as the precursor for all other steroids.

Pathways

There are several pathways in steroidogenesis, each leading to the production of different steroids. These include the glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex steroids. Each pathway involves a series of enzymatic reactions, with each enzyme encoded by a different gene.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Steroidogenesis
Wikipedia's article - Steroidogenesis

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Steroidogenesis