sterol n : any of a group of natural steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals; they are waxy insoluble substances [syn: steroid alcohol]

English

Noun

sterol

1. any member of a class of steroids containing a hydroxyl group in the 3-position of the A-ring; they are found in all animal and plant tissue and play an important role in hormone chemistry

See also

• cholesterol
• ergosterol
• stigmasterol
• phytosterol
• zoosterol

Sterols, or steroid alcohols are a subgroup of steroids with a hydroxyl group at the 3-position of the A-ring. They are amphipathic lipids synthesized from acetyl-coenzyme A via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway. The overall molecule is quite flat. The hydroxyl group on the A ring is polar. The rest of the aliphatic chain is non-polar.

Sterols of plants are called phytosterols and sterols of animals are called zoosterols. Important zoosterols are cholesterol and some steroid hormones; notable phytosterols include campesterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Ergosterol is a sterol present in the cell membrane of fungi, where it serves a role similar to cholesterol in animal cells.

Sterols and related compounds play essential roles in the physiology of eukaryotic organisms. For example, cholesterol forms part of the cellular membrane in animals, where it affects the cell membrane's fluidity and serves as secondary messenger in developmental signaling. In humans and other animals, corticosteroids, such as cortisol act as signalling compounds in cellular communication and general metabolism.

Phytosterols may block cholesterol absorption sites in the human intestine thus helping to reduce cholesterol in humans.

See also

• Cholesterol
• Phytosterol
• Ergosterol

References

Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al., 2002) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?highlight=cholesterol,bilayer&rid=mboc4.section.1864#1874

External links

• Sterols Cyberlipid.org