Lanosterol
Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lanosterol is a tetracyclic triterpenoid and is the compound from which all animal and fungal steroids are derived. By contrast, plant steroids are produced via cycloartenol.[1] In the eyes of vertebrates, lanosterol is a natural constituent, having a role in maintaining health of the lens. Lanosterol is the precursor to cholesterol.[2]
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Names | |
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IUPAC name
Lanosta-8,24-dien-3β-ol | |
Systematic IUPAC name
(1R,3aR,5aR,7S,9aS,11aR)-3a,6,6,9a,11a-Pentamethyl-1-[(2R)-6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl]-2,3,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8,9,9a,10,11,11a-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-7-ol | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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2226449 | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.105 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
MeSH | Lanosterol |
PubChem CID |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C30H50O | |
Molar mass | 426.71 g/mol |
Melting point | 138 to 140 °C (280 to 284 °F; 411 to 413 K) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Biosynthesis
The biosynthesis of lanosterol has been intensively investigated.[2]
Description | Illustration | Enzyme |
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Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate condense with reduction by NADPH to form squalene | ![]() | squalene synthase |
Squalene is oxidized to 2,3-oxidosqualene (squalene epoxide) | ![]() | squalene monooxygenase |
2,3-Oxidosqualene is converted to a protosterol cation and finally to lanosterol | ![]() | lanosterol synthase |
(step 2) | ![]() | (step 2) |
Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to other steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.
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Research as an eye drop supplement
As a molecule naturally enriched in the eye lens, lanosterol is a component involved in maintenance of lens clarity.[3][4] Its proposed mechanism of action is to inhibit the aggregation of crystallin proteins, which contribute to the clouding of vision by forming cataracts.[3][4]
Lanosterol is under research for its potential as a therapeutic additive in eye drops to inhibit the aggregation of crystallin proteins and dissolve cataracts.[3][4] However, supplemental lanosterol in eye drops appears to have limited solubility and poor bioavailability in the eye, and has not proved effective for inhibiting cataracts, as of 2020.[3][4]
See also
- Cycloartenol
- CYP51
- Other tetracyclic triterpenes: cycloartenol, euphol, tirucallol, and cucurbitacin.[2]
References
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