The 21 hydroxylase enzyme, also known as CYP21A2, is crucial in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands. It converts progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone into deoxycorticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol, respectively. These products are precursors for the mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, which are essential for maintaining salt balance, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism.
