Sterol
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| Names | |
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| IUPAC name
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-hexadecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
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| Other names
Hexadecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3-ol
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol ) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID
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| Properties | |
| C17H28O | |
| Molar mass | 248.410 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Sterol is an
fungi, and can also be produced by some bacteria (however likely with different functions).[2][3] The most familiar type of animal sterol is cholesterol, which is vital to cell membrane structure, and functions as a precursor to fat-soluble vitamins and steroid hormones
.
While technically alcohols, sterols are classified by biochemists as lipids (fats in the broader sense of the term).
Types
Phytosterols
sitosterol, and stigmasterol.
Zoosterols
Zoosterols are sterols found in animals. The most significant zoosterol is cholesterol.
Mycosterols
Sterols found in
fungi are called mycosterols. A common example is ergosterol, a mycosterol present in the cell membrane
of fungi, where it serves a role similar to cholesterol in animal cells.
Role in biochemistry
Sterols and related compounds play essential roles in the physiology of
human skin oils.[5]
Phytosterols as a nutritional supplement
food supplement; however, there is some concern that they may block absorption not only of cholesterol, but of other important nutrients as well. At present, the American Heart Association has recommended that supplemental plant sterols be taken only by those diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, and has particularly recommended that they not be taken by pregnant women or nursing mothers.[7]
Preliminary research has shown that phytosterols may have anticancer effects.[8]
Chemical classification and structure
![[icon]](/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2023) |
Sterols are a subgroup of
aliphatic chain is non-polar
.
See also
- Cholesterol
- Ergosterol
- Hopanoids
- Hydroxysteroid
- Phytosterol
- Steroids
- Zoosterol
References
- ^ "sterol (CHEBI:15889)". www.ebi.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
- PMID 27446030.
- PMID 34131078.
- S2CID 209392321.
- PMID 6833889.
- PMID 12791614.
- ^ "Do we need to be buying plant sterols?" (PDF). Food Magazine. 67: 14. October–December 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
- PMID 17266177.
- PMID 15722563.
Further reading
- Alberts B (2002). "10. Membrane Structure" (Online at NIH). Molecular biology of the cell. Vol. IV. Internal Organization of the Cell. New York: Garland Science. p. 1874. ISBN 978-0-8153-4072-0.
The Fluidity of a Lipid Bilayer Depends on Its Composition
External links
- Sterols Archived 2010-06-09 at the Wayback Machine Cyberlipid.org
