A secosteroid () is a type of
steroid
A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and ...
with a "broken" ring. The word ''secosteroid ''derives from the Latin verb ''secare'' meaning "to cut",
and 'steroid'. Secosteroids are alternatively described as a subclass of steroids
[; ; ] or derived from steroids.
Types or subclasses of secosteroids are defined by the carbon atoms of the parent steroid skeleton where the ring cleavage has taken place. For example, 9,10-secosteroids derived from
cleavage of the bond between carbon atoms C9 and C10 of the steroid B-ring (similarly 5,6-secosteroids, 13,14-steroids, etc.).
The prototypical secosteroid is
cholecalciferol
Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3 and colecalciferol, is a type of vitamin D that is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.
Cholecalciferol is made in the skin fo ...
(vitamin D
3).
Some
nonsteroidal estrogens, like
doisynolic acid and
allenolic acid, are also secosteroids or secosteroid-like compounds.
References
External links
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{{Steroid classification