Steroid hormones, such as cortisol and estrogen, are synthesized from cholesterol. This process occurs in the adrenal cortex and gonads: 1. Cholesterol Uptake: Cholesterol is transported into the cell, often via low-density lipoproteins (LDL). 2. Conversion to Pregnenolone: Cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone in the mitochondria. 3. Enzymatic Modifications: Pregnenolone undergoes a series of enzymatic reactions in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum to form the final steroid hormone.
