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Mitochondrial Cholesterol Transport

Meaning

Mitochondrial Cholesterol Transport is the initial and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of all steroid hormones, a process known as steroidogenesis. This critical cellular event involves the regulated movement of free cholesterol from the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) across the intermembrane space to the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). The efficiency of this transport dictates the overall output of steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex steroids like testosterone and estrogen precursors.