These are enzymes which are mutated, resulting in the syndromes of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Not all enzymes are displayed but the three clinically important enzymes of 17-α-hydroxylase, 21-hydroxylase, and 11-hydroxylase are displayed.Expression of cholesterol desmolase depends on the presence of ACTH a hypothalamic hormone therefore, in the absence of ACTH no adrenocortical hormones are produced. The only enzyme which is shared by all the zones is Cholesterol Desmolase which is required to activate cholesterol for any further chemical modification. All adrenocortical hormones are synthesised from cholesterol. Each zone of the adrenal cortex possesses only those enzymes necessary to synthesize its particular hormone thus, no zone possess all of the enzymes shown. Note that cholesterol is the starting material for all the hormones. The overall pathway for adrenocortical hormone biosynthesis is presented in the diagram above.Because each zone of the adrenal cortex expresses a different set of modifying enzymes, different hormones are produced in each zone. It helps control your body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. The three different subtypes of adrenocortical hormones are achieved by different pathways of enzymatic modification, yielding hormones with different chemical side groups. Your adrenal glands are responsible for producing and releasing the following essential hormones: Cortisol: Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that plays several important roles. As with all steroid hormones, biosynthesis of corticosteroids is based on sequential enzymatic modification of cholesterol. All adrenocortical hormones, known as Corticosteroids, are steroid hormones.

Adrenal cortical hormones