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Metabolism of sterols of varying ring unsaturation and methylation byCaenorhabditis elegans

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Lipids

Abstract

The metabolism of three dietary 4,4-desmethylsterols and two 4α-methylsterols was investigated in the free-living nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. Dietary cholestanol was converted mostly to lathosterol. Dietary lathosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, 4α-methylcholest-7-enol and 4α-methylcholest-8(14)-enol each remained largely unchanged. An absolute requirement for a substantial quantity of 7-dehydrocholesterol inC. elegans did not exist.C. elegans was unable to remove a 4α-methyl group or introduce a double bond at C-5 and also demonstrated the lack of a Δ7-reductase. Its nutritional sterol requirement was satisfied by cholestanol, lathosterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol; growth was comparable to that obtained previously in media containing Δ5-sterols. However, the two 4α-methylsterols appeared to be unsatisfactory sterol nutrients. The possible physiological importance of 4α-methylsterols is discussed briefly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Insect and Nematode Hormone Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland

    Ruben Lozano, David J. Chitwood, William R. Lusby & Malcolm J. Thompson

  2. Department of Botany, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

    Thomas A. Salt

Authors
  1. Ruben Lozano
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  2. Thomas A. Salt
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  3. David J. Chitwood
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  4. William R. Lusby
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  5. Malcolm J. Thompson
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Lozano, R., Salt, T.A., Chitwood, D.J. et al. Metabolism of sterols of varying ring unsaturation and methylation byCaenorhabditis elegans . Lipids 22, 84–87 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02534858

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02534858

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