Endocrine & hormone · target hub

CYP11A1

Cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, mitochondrial (CYP11A1)

CYP11A1 is a Steroidogenic enzyme on the endocrine & hormone axis. A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase that catalyzes the side-chain hydroxylation and cleavage of cholesterol to pregnenolone, the precursor of most steroid hormones (PubMed:21636783). Catalyzes three sequential oxidation reactions of cholesterol, namely the hydroxylation at C22 follow… It is indexed under "Steroidogenesis & steroid-metabolizing enzymes (gonadal/adrenal)" on our pathway page for antibodies, inhibitors, and assay guidance.

Back to pathway overviewSearch: CYP11A1UniProt (P05108)

Research notes

  • Combine with other genes in the same hub block via genetics or pharmacology to test non-redundant roles of CYP11A1.
  • For nuclear receptors pair ligands, co-regulators, and reporter assays; for membrane receptors note GPCR/RTK downstream and desensitization.
  • Verify antibody clone, phospho-site, and stimulation; include KD/KO or inhibitor controls.

On the pathway hub (sections)

Genetic lesions & expression context (quick reference)

Type / exampleDomain / context (brief)
Enzyme activityCatalytic or substrate-channel changes
Steroid outputSteroid profile / metabolite readouts
Rare variantsSporadic variants—require validation

Naming and prevalence vary by cohort and assay—annotate clinically with COSMIC, ClinVar, OncoKB, and datasheets; research context only.

Assay readouts for CYP11A1

  • Enzyme / metabolomics: steroid intermediates at the CYP11A1 step.
  • H295R / primary adrenals: ACTH or cAMP time courses.
  • Localization: mitochondrial STAR transfer or ER P450.
  • Endocrine phenotypes: cortisol/aldosterone/sex-steroid panels.

CYP11A1 experimental notes

Examples below reflect common literature and public resources (e.g., CCLE, DepMap)—validate genotypes, expression, and passage in your own stocks before committing assays.

[1] Cell lines commonly used for CYP11A1 studies (examples)

  • Tool lines: H295R, NCI-H295R, BeWo, MA-10, HEK293T—screen by CYP11A1 expression and pathway context (CCLE/DepMap).
  • Combine with neighbors (STAR, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, CYP17A1) via KD/pharmacology to test non-redundancy.
  • Overexpression/rescue in HEK293T supports mechanism and IP workflows.
  • Isogenic/CRISPR models separate pathway dependency from bypass survival.

[2] Cell samples for CYP11A1 Western blot

  • Whole-cell lysates—optimize RIPA/NP-40 per antibody; phosphatase inhibitors for phospho blots.
  • Stimulation: serum starvation ± insulin/EGF or amino-acid withdrawal/refeed as relevant.
  • Controls: siRNA/shRNA, CRISPR KO, or inhibitors to validate band specificity.
  • Loading: BCA normalization; subcellular fractionation when needed.

[3] Tissue samples for CYP11A1 Western blot

  • Matched tumor/adjacent frozen tissues after pathology review.
  • Mouse GEMM or xenografts—mind species antibody cross-reactivity.
  • Primary cells/PDCs when ethically approved.
  • FFPE needs specialized extraction; frozen tissue preferred for phospho work.

[4] Cell samples for CYP11A1 immunoprecipitation

  • Tagged overexpression: HEK293T FLAG/HA-CYP11A1 for complex capture.
  • Endogenous IP: high-expression lines; often ≥1–5×10⁶ cells per IP.
  • Stimulation: ligand or nutrient treatments enrich interactions—pilot time courses.
  • Controls: isotype IgG, empty vector, KD/KO negatives.

Human tissues and primary cells require ethics/IRB approval; tumors are heterogeneous—record histotype, site, and preservation conditions.

Bypass & related pathways

Models & genetics note

Overexpression vs endogenous CYP11A1 can differ in dosage, splicing, and compartmentation—in organoids/PDX, record passage, matrix, and drug history.

Quick search presets

CYP11A1CYP11A1 antibodyCYP11A1 ligand/agonisthormone/receptor antibody

CYP11A1-related antibodies (keyword-biased)

Adds CYP11A1 keyword bias atop the 内分泌和激素 antibody pool—if sparse, use presets above or global search.

Neighboring targets (same hub)

STARCYP11B1CYP11B2CYP17A1CYP19A1CYP21A2HSD3B1HSD3B2

External databases & resources

FAQ

This content supports research reagents and pathway education—not medical advice. Annotate mutations, drug indications, and protocols with authoritative databases, datasheets, and institutional oversight.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-18

Related on this site

See the endocrine & hormone hub for neighboring targets—cross-check PI3K, MAPK, RTK, and metabolism pages as needed.

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