(''S'')-2,3-Oxidosqualene ((''S'')-2,3-epoxysqualene) is an intermediate in the synthesis of the
cell membrane sterol
A sterol is any organic compound with a Skeletal formula, skeleton closely related to Cholestanol, cholestan-3-ol. The simplest sterol is gonan-3-ol, which has a formula of , and is derived from that of gonane by replacement of a hydrogen atom on ...
precursors
lanosterol and
cycloartenol, as well as
saponins. It is formed when
squalene is
oxidized by the enzyme
squalene monooxygenase. 2,3-Oxidosqualene is the
substrate of various
oxidosqualene cyclases, including
lanosterol synthase, which produces
lanosterol, a precursor to
cholesterol
Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body Tissue (biology), tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in Animal fat, animal fats and oils.
Cholesterol is biosynthesis, biosynthesized by all anima ...
.
The
stereoisomer (''R'')-2,3-oxidosqualene is an inhibitor of lanosterol synthase.
References
External links
Oxidosqualene cyclase, PDB December 2007 Molecule of the Month
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oxidosqualene, 2,3-
Epoxides
Triterpenes
Polyenes