Lanosterol

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Lanosterol
Ball-and-stick model of lanosterol
Names
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
)
2226449
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard
100.001.105 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 201-214-9
IUPHAR/BPS
KEGG
MeSH Lanosterol
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C30H50O/c1-20(2)10-9-11-21(3)22-14-18-30(8)24-12-13-25-27(4,5)26(31)16-17-28(25,6)23(24)15-19-29(22,30)7/h10,21-22,25-26,31H,9,11-19H2,1-8H3/t21-,22-,25+,26+,28-,29-,30+/m1/s1 checkY
    Key: CAHGCLMLTWQZNJ-BQNIITSRSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C30H50O/c1-20(2)10-9-11-21(3)22-14-18-30(8)24-12-13-25-27(4,5)26(31)16-17-28(25,6)23(24)15-19-29(22,30)7/h10,21-22,25-26,31H,9,11-19H2,1-8H3/t21-,22-,25+,26+,28-,29-,30+/m1/s1
    Key: CAHGCLMLTWQZNJ-BQNIITSRBP
  • C[C@H](CCC=C(C)C)[C@H]1CC[C@]2(C)C1CCC3=C2CC[C@H]4C(C)(C)[C@@H](O)CC[C@]34C
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).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Lanosterol is a

triterpenoid and is the compound from which all animal and fungal steroids are derived. By contrast, plant steroids are produced via cycloartenol.[1]

Role in the biosynthesis of other steroids

Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to the core structure of steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.[2]

Simplified version of the lanosterol synthesis pathway with the intermediates isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), and squalene shown. Some intermediates are omitted.

Biosynthesis

Description Illustration Enzyme
Two molecules of
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)

Research

Lanosterol has been identified as a key component in maintaining eye lens clarity.[3] Pre-clinical research has identified Lanosterol as a possible agent for the reversal and prevention of cataracts.[4] In vivo experiments on dogs showed significant reversal of cataracts within 6 weeks of lanosterol injection.[5] In 2018, Lanosterol was shown to improve lens clarity in cells with lens clouding due to aging or physical stressors.[6] A subsequent study in 2022 by Kehao Wang, Hoshino, Kentaro Uesugi, Naoto Yagi, Pierscionek and Andley found positive results on the optics of the lens in mice with cataracts.[7]

Use

Lanosterol is an ingredient in over-the-counter ophthalmic products to prevent cataracts. However, the solubility and bioavailability of lanosterol is not conducive to aqueous formulations.[8] Heliostatix Biotechnology claims to have a method of solubilizing lanosterol for use in aqueous products.[9]

See also

References

Further reading

External links