Sulfurylation of deoxycorticosterone in human fetal tissues

We determined the specific activity of 21-hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase in a number of human fetal tissues and in tissues of a prepubertal boy (5 years of age). In fetal tissues, the highest specific activities of this enzyme were found in adrenal gland, liver, kidney, intestine, aorta, and testis. In the tissues of the prepubertal boy, 21-hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase activity was demonstrable only in adrenal and liver. Thus, 21-hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase activity is present in some fetal tissues in which DOC may be formed by 21-hydroxylation of progesterone, as steroid 21-hydroxylase activity has been demonstrated previously in adrenal, kidney, and testis. We speculate that sulfurylation of DOC in some tissue sites of DOC formation and action may regulate the action of this mineralocorticosteroid.