C21steroid

C21steroid refers to a class of steroid molecules characterized by a specific carbon skeleton structure. This skeleton consists of twenty-one carbon atoms arranged in a particular arrangement that is fundamental to their biological activity. Steroids are a group of organic compounds that includes cholesterol, bile acids, and all steroid hormones. The C21steroid structure is a common framework found in many of the body's crucial signaling molecules.

The most well-known examples of C21steroids are the corticosteroids, which are a type of steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. These include glucocorticoids like cortisol and mineralocorticoids like aldosterone. Cortisol plays a vital role in metabolism, immune response, and stress management, while aldosterone regulates salt and water balance in the body. The C21steroid structure is essential for their ability to bind to specific receptors and elicit these diverse physiological effects. Modifications to this core structure can lead to different functional properties, but the underlying twenty-one carbon framework remains a defining characteristic of this significant class of biomolecules.