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The Enantiomer of Cholesterol

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Abstract

Cholesterol plays a variety of significant roles in biological systems. However, the mechanisms by which cholesterol functions remain largely unclear. The enantiomer of cholesterol (ent-cholesterol)—which has identical physical properties, but opposite three-dimensional configuration compared to cholesterol—is a unique tool that can be used to better understand the mechanisms of cholesterol function. We review the literature pertaining to ent-cholesterol, focusing in particular on its use in biological studies.

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The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Cardiovascular Research Training Grant 55935 (EJW) and GM47969 (DFC)

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  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    E. J. Westover & D. F. Covey

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  1. E. J. Westover
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Correspondence to D. F. Covey.

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Westover, E.J., Covey, D.F. The Enantiomer of Cholesterol. J Membrane Biol 202, 61–72 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-004-0714-7

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