4-Methylpentanal (CAS 1119-16-0)

4-Methylpentanal, also known as isocaproaldehyde or isohexanal, is categorized as an alpha-hydrogen aldehyde, belonging to the class of organic compounds. These aldehydes have the general formula HC(H)(R)C(=O)H, with R representing an organyl group. While 4-Methylpentanal is slightly soluble in water, it is essentially neutral and displays minimal acidity based on its pKa value. This compound is primarily found in the mitochondria and cytoplasm within cells. Its involvement in various enzymatic reactions is notable. For instance, it participates in the biosynthesis of Pregnenolone and 4-methylpentanal from 20a, 22b-dihydroxycholesterol, facilitated by the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme in the mitochondria. Additionally, the biosynthesis of 17a-Hydroxypregnenolone and 4-methylpentanal from 17a, 20a-dihydroxycholesterol is mediated by the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme in the mitochondria. In the human body, 4-Methylpentanal plays a role in the steroidogenesis pathway. Moreover, it is associated with several metabolic disorders such as 21-hydroxylase deficiency (cyp21), 11-beta-hydroxylase deficiency (cyp11b1), corticosterone methyl oxidase II deficiency - cmo II, and adrenal hyperplasia type 5 or congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 17 Alpha-hydroxylase deficiency. Notably, 4-Methylpentanal is recognized as both a human and mouse metabolite, highlighting its significance in biological systems.