zona fasiculata and zona reticularis biosynthesis
Last reviewed 06/2022
The zona fasiculata and reticularis have the enzyme 17-alpha-hydroxylase, which 17-hydroxylates pregnenolone and progesterone.
These 17-hydroxy steroid can then be metabolised as follows:
- to 11-deoxycortisol, catalysed by 21 beta-hydroxylase
- to cortisol, by 11 beta-hydroxylase
Alternatively a further reaction, catalysed by 17,20 lyase can convert the 17-hydroxysteroid to the sex hormone precursors.