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Record Information
Version5.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2005-11-16 15:48:42 UTC
Update Date2022-03-07 02:49:00 UTC
HMDB IDHMDB0000253
Secondary Accession Numbers
  • HMDB00253
Metabolite Identification
Common NamePregnenolone
DescriptionPregnenolone is a derivative of cholesterol, the product of cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (EC 1.14.15.6, CYP11A1. This reaction consists of three consecutive monooxygenations, a 22-hydroxylation, a 20-hydroxylation, and the cleavage of the C20-C22 bond, yielding pregnenolone. Pregnenolone is the precursor to gonadal steroid hormones and the adrenal corticosteroids. This reaction occurs in steroid hormone-producing tissues such as the adrenal cortex, corpus luteum, and placenta. The most notable difference between the placenta and other steroidogenic tissues is that electron supply to CYP11A1 limits the rate at which cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone in the placenta. The limiting component for electron delivery to CYP11A1 is the concentration of adrenodoxin reductase in the mitochondrial matrix which is insufficient to maintain the adrenodoxin pool in a fully reduced state. Pregnenolone is also a neurosteroid, and is produced in the spinal cord; CYP11A1 is the key enzyme catalyzing the conversion of cholesterol into pregnenolone, the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of all classes of steroids, and has been localized in sensory networks of the spinal cord dorsal horn. In the adrenal glomerulosa cell, angiotensin II, one of the major physiological regulators of mineralocorticoid synthesis, appears to affect most of the cholesterol transfer to the mitochondrial outer membrane and many steps in the transport to the inner membrane. Thus, it exerts a powerful control over the use of cholesterol for aldosterone production (PMID: 17222962 , 15823613 , 16632873 , 15134809 ).
Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
ValueSource
(3BETA)-3-HYDROXYPREGN-5-en-20-oneChEBI
3beta-Hydroxypregn-5-en-20-oneChEBI
5-Pregnen-3beta-ol-20-oneChEBI
(3b)-3-HYDROXYPREGN-5-en-20-oneGenerator
(3Β)-3-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-oneGenerator
3b-Hydroxypregn-5-en-20-oneGenerator
3Β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-oneGenerator
5-Pregnen-3b-ol-20-oneGenerator
5-Pregnen-3β-ol-20-oneGenerator
5-Pregnen-3-beta-ol-20-oneHMDB
5 Pregnen 3 beta ol 20 oneHMDB
Chemical FormulaC21H32O2
Average Molecular Weight316.4776
Monoisotopic Molecular Weight316.240230268
IUPAC Name1-[(1S,2R,5S,10S,11S,14S,15S)-5-hydroxy-2,15-dimethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.0^{2,7}.0^{11,15}]heptadec-7-en-14-yl]ethan-1-one
Traditional Name1-[(1S,2R,5S,10S,11S,14S,15S)-5-hydroxy-2,15-dimethyltetracyclo[8.7.0.0^{2,7}.0^{11,15}]heptadec-7-en-14-yl]ethanone
CAS Registry Number145-13-1
SMILES
[H][C@@]12CC[C@H](C(C)=O)[C@@]1(C)CC[C@@]1([H])[C@@]2([H])CC=C2C[C@@H](O)CC[C@]12C
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C21H32O2/c1-13(22)17-6-7-18-16-5-4-14-12-15(23)8-10-20(14,2)19(16)9-11-21(17,18)3/h4,15-19,23H,5-12H2,1-3H3/t15-,16-,17+,18-,19-,20-,21+/m0/s1
InChI KeyORNBQBCIOKFOEO-QGVNFLHTSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives. These are steroids with a structure based on a hydroxylated prostane moiety.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassLipids and lipid-like molecules
ClassSteroids and steroid derivatives
Sub ClassPregnane steroids
Direct ParentGluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Progestogin-skeleton
  • 20-oxosteroid
  • 3-hydroxy-delta-5-steroid
  • 3-hydroxysteroid
  • 3-beta-hydroxysteroid
  • 3-beta-hydroxy-delta-5-steroid
  • Oxosteroid
  • Hydroxysteroid
  • Delta-5-steroid
  • Cyclic alcohol
  • Secondary alcohol
  • Ketone
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Carbonyl group
  • Alcohol
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Organic oxide
  • Aliphatic homopolycyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic homopolycyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Ontology
Physiological effectNot Available
Disposition
Biological locationSource
Process
Role
Physical Properties
StateSolid
Experimental Molecular Properties
PropertyValueReference
Melting Point192 °CNot Available
Boiling PointNot AvailableNot Available
Water Solubility0.0071 mg/mL at 37 °CNot Available
LogP4.22HANSCH,C ET AL. (1995)
Experimental Chromatographic Properties

Experimental Collision Cross Sections

Adduct TypeData SourceCCS Value (Å2)Reference
[M-H]-MetCCS_train_neg182.86230932474
[M+H]+MetCCS_train_pos173.98130932474
[M+H]+Not Available177.248http://allccs.zhulab.cn/database/detail?ID=AllCCS00001969
Predicted Molecular Properties
Predicted Chromatographic Properties
Spectra
Biological Properties
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
  • Membrane (predicted from logP)
  • Mitochondria
  • Endoplasmic reticulum
Biospecimen Locations
  • Blood
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
  • Urine
Tissue Locations
  • Adrenal Cortex
  • Adrenal Gland
  • Brain
  • Kidney
  • Neuron
  • Ovary
  • Placenta
  • Testis
Pathways
Normal Concentrations
Abnormal Concentrations
Associated Disorders and Diseases
Disease References
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  1. Epperson CN, Haga K, Mason GF, Sellers E, Gueorguieva R, Zhang W, Weiss E, Rothman DL, Krystal JH: Cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid levels across the menstrual cycle in healthy women and those with premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002 Sep;59(9):851-8. [PubMed:12215085 ]
Prepartum depression
  1. Pearson Murphy BE, Steinberg SI, Hu FY, Allison CM: Neuroactive ring A-reduced metabolites of progesterone in human plasma during pregnancy: elevated levels of 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone in depressed patients during the latter half of pregnancy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Dec;86(12):5981-7. [PubMed:11739473 ]
Postpartum depression
  1. Pearson Murphy BE, Steinberg SI, Hu FY, Allison CM: Neuroactive ring A-reduced metabolites of progesterone in human plasma during pregnancy: elevated levels of 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone in depressed patients during the latter half of pregnancy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Dec;86(12):5981-7. [PubMed:11739473 ]
Schizophrenia
  1. Bicikova M, Hill M, Ripova D, Mohr P, Hampl R: Determination of steroid metabolome as a possible tool for laboratory diagnosis of schizophrenia. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2013 Jan;133:77-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.08.009. Epub 2012 Aug 24. [PubMed:22944140 ]
Adrenal insufficiency, congenital, with 46,XY sex reversal, partial or complete
  1. Kim CJ, Lin L, Huang N, Quigley CA, AvRuskin TW, Achermann JC, Miller WL: Severe combined adrenal and gonadal deficiency caused by novel mutations in the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme, P450scc. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Mar;93(3):696-702. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-2330. Epub 2008 Jan 8. [PubMed:18182448 ]
Associated OMIM IDs
  • 181500 (Schizophrenia)
  • 613743 (Adrenal insufficiency, congenital, with 46,XY sex reversal, partial or complete)
DrugBank IDDB02789
Phenol Explorer Compound IDNot Available
FooDB IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDC00047082
Chemspider ID8611
KEGG Compound IDC01953
BioCyc IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkPregnenolone
METLIN IDNot Available
PubChem Compound8955
PDB IDNot Available
ChEBI ID16581
Food Biomarker OntologyNot Available
VMH IDPRGNLONE
MarkerDB IDMDB00000123
Good Scents IDNot Available
References
Synthesis ReferenceShingate, Bapurao B.; Hazra, Braja G.; Pore, Vandana S.; Gonnade, Rajesh G.; Bhadbhade, Mohan M. Stereoselective syntheses of 20-epi cholanic acid derivatives from 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate. Tetrahedron (2007), 63(25), 5622-5635.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)Not Available
General References

Enzymes

General function:
Involved in sulfotransferase activity
Specific function:
Sulfotransferase that utilizes 3'-phospho-5'-adenylyl sulfate (PAPS) as sulfonate donor to catalyze the sulfate conjugation of many hormones, neurotransmitters, drugs and xenobiotic compounds. Sulfonation increases the water solubility of most compounds, and therefore their renal excretion, but it can also result in bioactivation to form active metabolites. Sulfates hydroxysteroids like DHEA. Isoform 1 preferentially sulfonates cholesterol, and isoform 2 avidly sulfonates pregnenolone but not cholesterol.
Gene Name:
SULT2B1
Uniprot ID:
O00204
Molecular weight:
39598.595
Reactions
Pregnenolone + Phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate → 3beta-Hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one sulfate + Adenosine 3',5'-diphosphatedetails
General function:
Involved in catalytic activity
Specific function:
Conversion of sulfated steroid precursors to estrogens during pregnancy.
Gene Name:
STS
Uniprot ID:
P08842
Molecular weight:
65491.72
Reactions
Pregnenolone + Oat gum → 3beta-Hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one sulfate + Waterdetails
General function:
Involved in monooxygenase activity
Specific function:
Catalyzes the side-chain cleavage reaction of cholesterol to pregnenolone.
Gene Name:
CYP11A1
Uniprot ID:
P05108
Molecular weight:
60101.87
Reactions
Cholesterol + reduced adrenal ferredoxin + Oxygen → Pregnenolone + 4-Methylpentanal + oxidized adrenal ferredoxin + Waterdetails
20a,22b-Dihydroxycholesterol + Oxygen + Reduced adrenal ferredoxin + Hydrogen Ion → 4-Methylpentanal + Pregnenolone + Water + Oxidized adrenal ferredoxindetails
General function:
Involved in monooxygenase activity
Specific function:
Conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to their 17-alpha-hydroxylated products and subsequently to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione. Catalyzes both the 17-alpha-hydroxylation and the 17,20-lyase reaction. Involved in sexual development during fetal life and at puberty.
Gene Name:
CYP17A1
Uniprot ID:
P05093
Molecular weight:
57369.995
Reactions
Pregnenolone + Reduced acceptor + Oxygen → 17a-Hydroxypregnenolone + Acceptor + Waterdetails
General function:
Involved in monooxygenase activity
Specific function:
Not Available
Gene Name:
CYP7B1
Uniprot ID:
O75881
Molecular weight:
58255.325
Reactions
Pregnenolone + NADPH + Hydrogen Ion + Oxygen → 7alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone + NADP + Waterdetails
General function:
Involved in 3-beta-hydroxy-delta5-steroid dehydrogenase activity
Specific function:
3-beta-HSD is a bifunctional enzyme, that catalyzes the oxidative conversion of Delta(5)-ene-3-beta-hydroxy steroid, and the oxidative conversion of ketosteroids. The 3-beta-HSD enzymatic system plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids. Efficiently catalyzes the transformation of pregnenolone to progesterone, 17-alpha-hydroxypregnenolone to 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEA to 4-androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone to 5-alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, dehydroepiandrosterone to androstenedione and 5-alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol to 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone.
Gene Name:
HSD3B1
Uniprot ID:
P14060
Molecular weight:
42251.25
Reactions
Pregnenolone + NAD → Progesterone + NADH + Hydrogen Iondetails
General function:
Involved in 3-beta-hydroxy-delta5-steroid dehydrogenase activity
Specific function:
3-beta-HSD is a bifunctional enzyme, that catalyzes the oxidative conversion of Delta(5)-ene-3-beta-hydroxy steroid, and the oxidative conversion of ketosteroids. The 3-beta-HSD enzymatic system plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of all classes of hormonal steroids.
Gene Name:
HSD3B2
Uniprot ID:
P26439
Molecular weight:
42051.845
Reactions
Pregnenolone + NAD → Progesterone + NADH + Hydrogen Iondetails
General function:
Involved in monooxygenase activity
Specific function:
Not Available
Gene Name:
P450-CYP21B
Uniprot ID:
Q16874
Molecular weight:
56000.9
General function:
Involved in monooxygenase activity
Specific function:
Not Available
Gene Name:
CYP21A2
Uniprot ID:
Q08AG9
Molecular weight:
55972.9
General function:
Not Available
Specific function:
Specifically catalyzes the 21-hydroxylation of steroids. Required for the adrenal synthesis of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
Gene Name:
CYP21A2
Uniprot ID:
P08686
Molecular weight:
56000.94
Reactions
Pregnenolone + Reduced acceptor + Oxygen → 21-Hydroxypregnenolone + Acceptor + Waterdetails