Lanosterol is a tetracyclic triterpenoid and is the compound from which all animal and fungal steroids are derived. By contrast plant steroids are produced via cycloartenol.
Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to the core structure of steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.
E. J. Corey, W. E. Russey, P. R. Ortiz de Montellano (1966). '2,3-Oxidosqualene, an Intermediate in the Biological Synthesis of Sterols from Squalene'
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