Steroids Flashcards
Starting material
Cholesterol of endogenous synth (need LPL delivery)
Steroid nucleus
Indestructible; modifications can be addition of hydroxy group, reduction/oxidation of side groups, cyclicize ring A (estrogens)
Steroid pathway
Primary synth site is adrenal cortex with CNS control.
On paper
Structural features and Biosynth
Chol nucleus is indestructible, side chain shortened between C20 and C22 (2Cs = Progesterone and corticosterone; lost = Androgens and estrogens).
OH on C3 ring A on all steroids. All stem from pregnalone, only 1 dehydration produces progesterone (all other O2 functions involve Cyt p450). Mineralcorticoids have aldehyde at C18
Androgens
From testis, some adrenal and theca cells
Testosterone
Major androgen from leydig cells; precursor to more active DHT and estradiol, Androstenodione = major androgen from adrenal cortex
Estrogen
Directly from Testosterone, Pre meno from granulosa cells of ovaries and preg = placenta
Menopause = estrogens as estrone from adrenal
Males = microsomal aromatase in liver, skin, and brain
Glucocorticoids
Regulate energy metabolism
ZF
Produces Cortisol and Corticosterone
Ant Pit Synth
CRH induced ACTH synth = stress hormone, increases cAMP inducing cortisol synth
Cortisol
Metab and inflamm control
Mineralcorticoids
Salt metabolism (aldosterone). From ZG (outer lyr), secretion induced by low Na/K ratio and angiotensin 2
LH
Induces testosterone, est, progesterone, ovulation
FSH
secretion of estorgens or androgens, sperm genesis
ACTH
glucocorticoid secretion
Critical Steps in Synth 1
Chol to pregnenolone: Side chain cleaved via Desmolase
Via NADPH and CytP450
Critical Steps in Synth 2
Pregnenolone oxidized to progesterone: sole non-p450 step, precursor to all
Via 3-B-dehydrogenase, rqrs NAD+
Def = no sex steroids, FM genitals, increased urine salt, early death
Critical Steps in Synth 3
Pregnenolone: 2 paths to sex steroids
- Preg ox to Progesterone - loses stub to androstenedione
- Preg loses stub then oxidized to DHEA and Androstenedione
Critical Steps in Synth 4
Androgens to Estrogen
Androstenedione/testosterone to estrone/estradiol via aromatase cyclized ring A
Critical Steps in Synth 5
Progesterone to cortisol via p450
17alphahydroxy to 21alphahydroxy to 11betahydroxylase = glucocorticoids which increase gluconeogenesis
Critical Steps in Synth 6
Progesterone to Aldosterone
CYP21 to CYP11B1 to CYP11B2
Def CYP21 = most common CAH
Defects in steroid production
Causes metabolic and developmental abnormalities, most important = affect on androgens as they mediate virilization. Most common: (1) Increased ACTH leads to tissue compensation for def downstream enzyme and loss of product and neg feedback balance. (2) Def enzyme shareable by 2 sequences (CYP21 and CYP11B)
3-B-hydroxysteroid dehyd def
No steroids, salt excretion in urine and hypotension. Patients with GM genitalia. Blocks Preg to Prog step
17-alpha-hydroxylase def
No sex or cortisol, increased mineralcorticoids - Na and H2O retention - hypertension. Patients with FM genitalia and unable to mature