18-Hydroxycorticosterone serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of
aldosterone by the enzyme
aldosterone synthase in the
zona glomerulosa.[6] It is also an intermediate in the biosynthesis of corticosterone. It spontaneously and reversibly converts to various less polar forms and derivatives, some of which serve as precursors to aldosterone or corticosterone. Specifically, 21-hydroxy-11,18-oxido-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (18-DAL) is hydroxylated to aldosterone in the presence of malate and NADP+ at pH 4.8, indicating that 18-DAL acts as a metabolic intermediate between 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone.[7] Corticosterone is a mediate precursor in this biosynthesis pathway, with 18-hydroxycorticosterone serving as an intermediate between corticosterone and aldosterone.[8]
^Izumi Y (July 2010). "[18-Hydroxycorticosterone (18-OH-B)]". Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine (in Japanese). 68 (Suppl 7): 348–53.
PMID20960793.
^Lantos CP, Damasco MC, Aragonés A, Ceballos NR, Burton G, Cozza EN (1987). "Versatile steroid molecules at the end of the aldosterone pathway". J Steroid Biochem. 27 (4–6): 791–800.
doi:
10.1016/0022-4731(87)90151-8.
PMID3320559.