Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 10, 121-127, January 1969
Copyright © 1969 by Lipid Research, Inc.

Isolation and chemical characterization of ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3ßbeta;-ol from pig tissues

Terence J. Scallen , W. J. Dean , E. D. Loughran , and B. V. Vora

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544

Although indirect evidence has implicated ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3ßbeta;-ol as a possible intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis, this sterol has not previously been isolated from tissues. Administration of two inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis to pigs led to the accumulation of ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3ßbeta;-ol in the tissues, and this sterol was isolated from the lung. Proof of its chemical identity was based upon UV, IR, NMR, circular dichroism, and mass spectra, as well as comparison with synthetic ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3ßbeta;-ol.

A fragment at m/e 143 is particularly prominent in the mass spectrum of ^5,7-sterols, and this fact may prove useful for the detection of this functional group. It is proposed that ^5,7,24-cholestatrien-3ßbeta;-ol may be an intermediate in sterol biosynthesis in both animals and plants.

Supplementary key words cholesterol • biosynthesis • ^5,7-sterols • mass spectra • circular dichroism

Submitted on June 14, 1968
Accepted on September 3, 1968

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