A secosteroid () is a type of

steroid A steroid is an organic compound with four fused compound, fused rings (designated A, B, C, and D) arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes t ...

with a "broken" ring. The word ''secosteroid ''derives from the Latin verb ''secare'' meaning "to cut", and 'steroid'. Secosteroids are described as a subclass of steroids under the

IUPAC The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC ) is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations working for the advancement of the chemical sciences, especially by developing nomenclature and terminology. It is ...

nomenclature. Some sources instead describe them as compounds 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 are derived from cleavage of the bond between carbon atoms C9 and C10 of the steroid B-ring (similarly 5,6-secosteroids, 13,14-secosteroids, etc.). The prototypical secosteroid is

cholecalciferol Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin D3, colecalciferol or calciol, is a type of vitamin D that is produced by the skin when exposed to UV light, UVB light; it is found in certain foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement. Cholecalcife ...

(vitamin D₃). Its IUPAC systematic is "(5''Z'',7''E'')-(3''S'')-9,10-secocholestra-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol". Some nonsteroidal estrogens, like doisynolic acid (cleaved on the D ring) and allenolic acid, are also secosteroids or secosteroid-like compounds.

References

External links

* {{Steroid classification

See also

References

External links