11-Deoxycortisol
11-Deoxycortisol
11-Deoxycortisol, also known as 21-hydroxyprogesterone (pronounced as eleven-deoxy-cortisol), is a steroid hormone that is produced in the adrenal gland. It is a precursor to the production of the hormone cortisol.
Etymology
The term "11-Deoxycortisol" is derived from its chemical structure, which lacks an oxygen atom at the 11th carbon position. The prefix "deoxy-" comes from the Greek word "de-" meaning "lack of" and "oxy" from the Greek "oxys" meaning "sharp" or "acid", referring to the missing oxygen atom.
Function
11-Deoxycortisol is produced in the adrenal cortex and is converted into cortisol by the enzyme 11β-hydroxylase. This process is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which regulates the body's response to stress.
Related Terms
- Cortisol: A steroid hormone that regulates a wide range of processes throughout the body, including metabolism and the immune response.
- Adrenal gland: A small gland located on top of each kidney. They produce hormones that you can't live without, including sex hormones and cortisol.
- Steroid hormone: A type of hormone that is lipid-soluble and can pass through cell membranes to initiate their specific cellular effects.
- 11β-hydroxylase: An enzyme involved in the final steps of cortisol synthesis in the adrenal cortex.
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: A complex set of direct influences and feedback interactions among the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on 11-Deoxycortisol
- Wikipedia's article - 11-Deoxycortisol
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