Master 11 Beta-Hydroxylase Deficiency with Picmonic for Medicine

11 beta-hydroxylase is necessary for the conversion of 11 deoxycorticosterone (11 DOC) to corticosterone in the mineralocorticoid synthesis pathway and 11 deoxycortisol to cortisol in the glucocorticoid synthesis pathway. Therefore, deficiency of this enzyme leads to decreased cortisol and aldosterone synthesis.

11 beta-hydroxylase is necessary for the conversion of 11 deoxycorticosterone (11 DOC) to corticosterone in the mineralocorticoid synthesis pathway and 11 deoxycortisol to cortisol in the glucocorticoid synthesis pathway. Therefore, deficiency of this enzyme leads to decreased cortisol and aldosterone synthesis.

Low levels of cortisol cause increased ACTH stimulation of the steroid biosynthesis pathway prior to 11 beta-hydroxylase and lead to increased androgen synthesis as accumulated cortisol precursors are shunted into the androgen synthesis pathway.

Although there is a loss of aldosterone, 11 deoxycorticosterone has mineralocorticoid activity, and excess accumulation can lead to hypertension.

Although there is a loss of aldosterone, 11 deoxycorticosterone has mineralocorticoid activity, and excess accumulation can lead to hypertension.

These individuals have clinical features of androgen excess, including masculinization and premature sexual maturation in boys and virilization in females.