Utilization of Free and Esterified Gholesterol-4-G 14 for Corticoid Biosynthesis by Hog Adrenal Homogenates. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Tracer amounts of cholesterol-4-C¹⁴ added to hog adrenal homogenates and incubated under conditions favorable for steroid synthesis were rapidly and efficiently converted to labeled steroids. Addition of cholesterol-4-C¹⁴ esters, prepared enzymatically and incubated under the same conditions, did not give C¹⁴-activity in the steroids produced. Conversion of free cholesterol to cholesterol esters or of esters to free cholesterol as measured by C¹⁴-activity of the sterol digitonides did not occur in this system.