Lanosterol is a tetracyclic triterpenoid and is the compound from which all animal and fungal are derived. By contrast, plant steroids are produced via cycloartenol.[
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Biosynthesis
The biosynthesis of lanosterol has been intensively investigated.|
| | Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate condense with reduction by NADPH to form squalene || | squalene synthase
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| | Squalene is oxidized to 2,3-oxidosqualene (squalene epoxide) || | squalene monooxygenase
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| | 2,3-Oxidosqualene is converted to a protosterol cation and finally to lanosterol || | lanosterol synthase
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| | (step 2)
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Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to other steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.
Research as an eye drop supplement
As a molecule naturally enriched in the eye lens, lanosterol is a component involved in maintenance of lens clarity.[
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Lanosterol is under research for its potential as a therapeutic additive in to inhibit the aggregation of crystallin proteins and dissolve .[ However, supplemental lanosterol in eye drops appears to have limited solubility and poor bioavailability in the eye, and has not proved effective for inhibiting cataracts, as of 2020.][
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See also
