The synthesis and metabolism of [6-3H]-25-hydroxycholesterol in rat adrenal tumor cells

The synthesis of [6-3H]-25-hydroxycholesterol from 26-norcholest-5-en-3 beta-ol-25-one is described. The metabolism of the radiolabeled hydroxysterol in rat adrenocortical carcinoma cells and in mitochondria-enriched preparations of rat adrenal tissue was investigated. We found that [6-3H]-25-hydroxycholesterol was metabolized efficiently to [3H]-pregnenolone in both preparations of rat adrenal tissue.