Abstract: | By utilizing purified cytochrome P-450scc from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria and cholesterol-containing dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes, we have demonstrated a dramatic stimulation (2-3 fold) of cholesterol binding to the steroid-free cytochrome by Ca++. We theorize that ACTH modulates the increase of intracellular Ca++ concentration resulting in the increase of the cholesterol availability to the mitochondrial cytochrome. |