Biochimie. 1979;61(9):1085-9.  

[Cytochrome P-450 and transformation from 18-hydroxycorticosterone to
aldosterone]

[Article in French]

Aupetit B, Bastien C, Legrand JC.

The authors have studied the in vitro conversion of 18 hydroxycorticosterone to
aldosterone (18 oxidation) by duck adrenal subcellular fractions. Considering
the new hypothesis about the mechanism of this step (hydroxylation mechanism)
the authors have investigated a possible relationship between this reaction and
cytochrome P450. With experimental conditions described, data show that
metyrapone, a cytochrome P450 competitive inhibitor does not inhibit 18
oxidation. In contrast, 18 oxidation is inhibited by spirolactones
(spironolactones, canrenone, potassium canrenoate). These compounds act at the
cytochrome P450 level but have also an uncoupling effect which has been recently
discovered. The effects of metyrapone and spirolactones on 18 oxidation as well
as the different behaviour between biologicaly and organically synthetised 18
hydroxycorticosterone allow us to propose hypotheses for the mechanism of this
step.

PMID: 119555 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]