Lanosterol is a tetracyclictriterpenoid and is the compound from which all animal and fungal steroids are derived. By contrast, plant steroids are produced via cycloartenol.[1]
Role in the biosynthesis of other steroids
Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to the core structure of steroids. 14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.[2]
Biosynthesis
Research
Lanosterol has been identified as a key component in maintaining eye lens clarity.[3] Pre-clinical research has identified Lanosterol as a possible agent for the reversal and prevention of cataracts.[4] In vivo experiments on dogs showed significant reversal of cataracts within 6 weeks of lanosterol injection.[5] In 2018, Lanosterol was shown to improve lens clarity in cells with lens clouding due to aging or physical stressors.[6] A subsequent study in 2022 by Kehao Wang, Hoshino, Kentaro Uesugi, Naoto Yagi, Pierscionek and Andley found positive results on the optics of the lens in mice with cataracts.[7]
Use
Lanosterol is an ingredient in over-the-counter ophthalmic products to prevent cataracts. However, the solubility and bioavailability of lanosterol is not conducive to aqueous formulations.[8] Heliostatix Biotechnology claims to have a method of solubilizing lanosterol for use in aqueous products.[9]
^Schaller, Hubert (May 2003). "The role of sterols in plant growth and development". Progress in Lipid Research. 42 (3): 163–175. doi:10.1016/S0163-7827(02)00047-4. PMID 12689617.
^"Do Lanosterol eye drops work for dogs? - PetACS Pet Health Products". petacs.com. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
^Huff, M; Telford, D (July 2005). "Lord of the rings – the mechanism for oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase becomes crystal clear". Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 26 (7): 335–340. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2005.05.004. PMID 15951028.
^Zhang, K.; Zhao, L.; Zhu, J.; Hou, R.; Wang, S.; Yan, Y. (2016). "Lanosterol reversal of protein aggregation in cataract". Acta Ophthalmologica. 94. doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0033.
^Wang, Kehao; Hoshino, Masato; Uesugi, Kentaro; Yagi, Naoto; Pierscionek, Barbara K.; Andley, Usha P. (2022-05-16). "Oxysterol Compounds in Mouse Mutant αA- and αB-Crystallin Lenses Can Improve the Optical Properties of the Lens". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 63 (5): 15. doi:10.1167/iovs.63.5.15. ISSN 1552-5783. PMC 9123516. PMID 35575904.
^Daszynski, Damian M.; Santhoshkumar, Puttur; Phadte, Ashutosh S.; Sharma, K. Krishna; Zhong, Haizhen A.; Lou, Marjorie F.; Kador, Peter F. (2019). "Failure of Oxysterols Such as Lanosterol to Restore Lens Clarity from Cataracts". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 8459. Bibcode:2019NatSR...9.8459D. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44676-4. PMC 6560215. PMID 31186457.
^Heliostatix.org
Further reading
Corey, E. J.; Russey, William E.; de Montellano, Paul R. Ortiz (October 1966). "2,3-Oxidosqualene, an Intermediate in the Biological Synthesis of Sterols from Squalene". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 88 (20): 4750–4751. doi:10.1021/ja00972a056. PMID 5918046.
Abe, Ikuro.; Rohmer, Michel.; Prestwich, Glenn D. (1 September 1993). "Enzymatic cyclization of squalene and oxidosqualene to sterols and triterpenes". Chemical Reviews. 93 (6): 2189–2206. doi:10.1021/cr00022a009.
Eschenmoser, A.; Ruzicka, L.; Jeger, O.; Arigoni, D. (1955). "Zur Kenntnis der Triterpene. 190. Mitteilung. Eine stereochemische Interpretation der biogenetischen Isoprenregel bei den Triterpenen" [For knowledge of the triterpenes. Part 190. A stereochemical interpretation of the biogenetic isoprene rule in triterpenes]. Helvetica Chimica Acta (in German). 38 (7): 1890–1904. doi:10.1002/hlca.19550380728.
Wang, Kehao; Hoshino, Masato; Uesugi, Kentaro; Yagi, Naoto; Pierscionek, Barbara K.; Andley, Usha P. (2022-05-16). "Oxysterol Compounds in Mouse Mutant αA- and αB-Crystallin Lenses Can Improve the Optical Properties of the Lens". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 63 (5): 15. doi:10.1167/iovs.63.5.15. ISSN 1552-5783. PMC 9123516. PMID 35575904.