Synthesis of Estrone
Estrone is also known as estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol-17-one, is a naturally occurring estrane steroid with double bonds at the C1, C3, and C5 positions, a hydroxyl group at the C3 position, and a ketone group at the C17 position.
It is primarily synthesized in peripheral tissues (like fat cells, muscle, and liver) from androgen precursors (like androstenedione) through the action of an enzyme called aromatase. The conversion of androgen to estrogen in peripheral tissues makes estrone crucial for providing some estrogenic activity in postmenopausal women.