Cortisol Aldosterone Synthesis describes the coupled biochemical pathways within the adrenal cortex responsible for producing the two principal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones, aldosterone and cortisol. These steroid hormones are vital for regulating stress response, metabolism, immune function, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance. The synthesis occurs primarily in the zona fasciculata for cortisol and the zona glomerulosa for aldosterone, highlighting the compartmentalized nature of adrenal function. Proper functioning of these pathways is essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis.
Origin
The term originates from the names of the two key hormones produced and the biological process of “synthesis,” or creation. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid named for its role in glucose metabolism, while aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid named for its effect on mineral (electrolyte) balance. The synthesis pathway, known as steroidogenesis, traces its origin to the early 20th-century isolation and structural determination of these life-sustaining steroid molecules.
Mechanism
Both synthesis pathways start with the precursor pregnenolone, derived from cholesterol. Cortisol synthesis proceeds through several enzymatic steps, including the action of 17-alpha-hydroxylase and 11-beta-hydroxylase, primarily in the zona fasciculata. Aldosterone synthesis, conversely, bypasses the 17-alpha-hydroxylase step and utilizes aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) as its final enzyme in the zona glomerulosa, illustrating the precise enzymatic control that dictates the final hormone product. The differential expression of key enzymes is the defining factor in this distinct steroid production.
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