Basic Info

Common NameCholesterol(F05336)
2D Structure
Description

Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol) and a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones in 1784. In the body, cholesterol can exist in either the free form or as an ester with a single fatty acid (of 10-20 carbons in length) covalently attached to the hydroxyl group at position 3 of the cholesterol ring. Because of the mechanism of synthesis plasma cholesterol esters tend to contain relatively high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most of the cholesterol consumed as a dietary lipid exists as cholesterol esters. Cholesterol esters have a lower solubility in water than cholesterol and are more hydrophobic. They are hydrolyzed by pancreatic enzymes, cholesterol esterase, to produce cholesterol and free fatty acids.

Cholesterol has vital structural roles in membranes and in lipid metabolism in general. It is a biosynthetic precursor of bile acids, vitamin D and steroid hormones (glucocorticoids, estrogens, progesterones, androgens and aldosterone). In addition, it contributes to the development and working of the central nervous system, and it has major functions in signal transduction and sperm development. Cholesterol is a ubiquitous component of all animal tissues where much of it is located in the membranes, although it is not evenly distributed. The highest proportion of unesterified cholesterol is in the plasma membrane (roughly 30-50% of the lipid in the membrane or 60-80% of the cholesterol in the cell), while mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum have very low cholesterol contents. Cholesterol is also enriched in early and recycling endosomes, but not in late endosomes. The brain contains more cholesterol than any other organ, where it comprises roughly a quarter of the total free cholesterol in the human body. Of all the organic constituents of blood, only glucose is present in a higher molar concentration than cholesterol.

Cholesterol esters appear to be the preferred form for transport in plasma and as a biologically inert storage (de-toxification) form. They do not contribute to membranes but are packed into intracellular lipid particles. Cholesterol molecules (i.e. cholesterol esters) are transported throughout the body via lipoprotein particles. The largest lipoproteins, which primarily transport fats from the intestinal mucosa to the liver, are called chylomicrons. They carry mostly triglyceride fats and cholesterol (that are from food and especially internal cholesterol secreted by the liver into the bile). In the liver, chylomicron particles give up triglycerides and some cholesterol, and are converted into low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, which carry triglycerides and cholesterol on to other body cells. In healthy individuals the LDL particles are large and relatively few in number. In contrast, large numbers of small LDL particles are strongly associated with promoting atheromatous disease within the arteries. (Lack of information on LDL particle number and size is one of the major problems of conventional lipid tests.). In conditions with elevated concentrations of oxidized LDL particles, especially small LDL particles, cholesterol promotes atheroma plaque deposits in the walls of arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. There is a world-wide trend to believe that lower total cholesterol levels tend to correlate with lower atherosclerosis event rates (though some studies refute this idea). As a result, cholesterol has become a very large focus for the scientific community trying to determine the proper amount of cholesterol needed in a healthy diet. However, the primary association of atherosclerosis with cholesterol has always been specifically with cholesterol transport patterns, not total cholesterol per se. For example, total cholesterol can be low, yet made up primarily of small LDL and small HDL particles and atheroma growth rates are high. In contrast, however, if LDL particle number is low (mostly large particles) and a large percentage of the HDL particles are large (HDL is actively reverse transporting cholesterol), then atheroma growth rates are usually low, even negative, for any given total cholesterol concentration. These effects are further complicated by the relative concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in the endothelium, since ADMA down-regulates production of nitric oxide, a relaxant of the endothelium. Thus, high levels of ADMA, associated with highly oxidized levels of LDL, pose a heightened risk factor for vascular disease.

FRCD IDF05336
CAS Number57-88-5
PubChem CID11025495
FormulaC27H46O
IUPAC Name

(8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol

InChI Key

HVYWMOMLDIMFJA-FNOPAARDSA-N

InChI

InChI=1S/C27H46O/c1-18(2)7-6-8-19(3)23-11-12-24-22-10-9-20-17-21(28)13-15-26(20,4)25(22)14-16-27(23,24)5/h9,18-19,21-25,28H,6-8,10-17H2,1-5H3/t19-,21?,22+,23-,24+,25+,26+,27-/m1/s1

Canonical SMILES

CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C

Isomeric SMILES

C[C@H](CCCC(C)C)[C@H]1CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(CC[C@H]3[C@H]2CC=C4[C@@]3(CCC(C4)O)C)C

WikipediaCholesterol
Synonyms
        
            (8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
        
            Cholest-5-en-3-ol
        
            CHEMBL1867358
        
            CTK6A7338
        
            MolPort-009-199-159
        
            AKOS015841761
        
            DS-3392
        
            NCGC00159351-04
        
            AK105936
        
Classifies
                

                  
                    Animal Toxin
                  

                
        
Update DateNov 13, 2018 17:07

Chemical Taxonomy

KingdomOrganic compounds
SuperclassLipids and lipid-like molecules
ClassSteroids and steroid derivatives
SubclassCholestane steroids
Intermediate Tree NodesNot available
Direct ParentCholesterols and derivatives
Alternative Parents
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic homopolycyclic compounds
SubstituentsCholesterol-skeleton - Cholesterol - Hydroxysteroid - 3-hydroxysteroid - 3-hydroxy-delta-5-steroid - Delta-5-steroid - Cyclic alcohol - Secondary alcohol - Organic oxygen compound - Hydrocarbon derivative - Organooxygen compound - Alcohol - Aliphatic homopolycyclic compound
DescriptionThis compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as cholesterols and derivatives. These are compounds containing a 3-hydroxylated cholestane core.

Properties

Property NameProperty Value
Molecular Weight386.664
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count1
Rotatable Bond Count5
Complexity591
Monoisotopic Mass386.355
Exact Mass386.355
XLogP8.7
Formal Charge0
Heavy Atom Count28
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count7
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count1
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Isotope Atom Count0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count1

ADMET

Model Result Probability
Absorption
Blood-Brain BarrierBBB+0.9749
Human Intestinal AbsorptionHIA+1.0000
Caco-2 PermeabilityCaco2+0.8184
P-glycoprotein SubstrateSubstrate0.6477
P-glycoprotein InhibitorInhibitor0.6404
Non-inhibitor0.5290
Renal Organic Cation TransporterNon-inhibitor0.7691
Distribution
Subcellular localizationMitochondria0.4852
Metabolism
CYP450 2C9 SubstrateNon-substrate0.8257
CYP450 2D6 SubstrateNon-substrate0.8794
CYP450 3A4 SubstrateSubstrate0.7439
CYP450 1A2 InhibitorNon-inhibitor0.9355
CYP450 2C9 InhibitorNon-inhibitor0.9194
CYP450 2D6 InhibitorNon-inhibitor0.9519
CYP450 2C19 InhibitorNon-inhibitor0.9177
CYP450 3A4 InhibitorNon-inhibitor0.8638
CYP Inhibitory PromiscuityLow CYP Inhibitory Promiscuity0.6721
Excretion
Toxicity
Human Ether-a-go-go-Related Gene InhibitionWeak inhibitor0.7730
Non-inhibitor0.7552
AMES ToxicityNon AMES toxic0.8888
CarcinogensNon-carcinogens0.9320
Fish ToxicityHigh FHMT0.9956
Tetrahymena Pyriformis ToxicityHigh TPT0.9953
Honey Bee ToxicityHigh HBT0.8718
BiodegradationNot ready biodegradable0.9825
Acute Oral ToxicityI0.5508
Carcinogenicity (Three-class)Non-required0.5893

Model Value Unit
Absorption
Aqueous solubility-4.8096LogS
Caco-2 Permeability1.4990LogPapp, cm/s
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion
Toxicity
Rat Acute Toxicity2.8078LD50, mol/kg
Fish Toxicity-0.2120pLC50, mg/L
Tetrahymena Pyriformis Toxicity1.2573pIGC50, ug/L

References

TitleJournalDatePubmed ID
Methyl-β-cyclodextrin potentiates the BITC-induced anti-cancer effect through modulation of the Akt phosphorylation in human colorectal cancer cells.Biosci Biotechnol Biochem2018 Sep 1030200817
Dietary supplementation of Yucca schidigera extract enhances productive and reproductive performances, blood profile, immune function, and antioxidant status in laying Japanese quails exposed to lead in the diet.Poult Sci2018 Sep 129846703
Fumonisin B<sub>1</sub> exposure increases Hsp70 expression in the lung and kidney of rats without inducing significant oxidative stress.Acta Vet Hung2018 Sep30264617
Toxicological analysis of roast duck flavor components.Food Chem Toxicol2018 Sep29208505
Safety assessment of Morus nigra L. leaves: Acute and subacute oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats.J Ethnopharmacol2018 Oct 529772355
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α attenuates high-cholesterol diet-induced toxicity and pro-thrombotic effects in mice.Arch Toxicol2018 Oct 1930341732
Therapeutic use of curcumin-encapsulated and curcumin-primed exosomes.J Cell Physiol2018 Oct 1430317632
A transcriptomic analysis of black cohosh: Actein alters cholesterol biosynthesis pathways and synergizes with simvastatin.Food Chem Toxicol2018 Oct29969672
The effect of electronic-cigarettes aerosol on rat brain lipid profile.Biochimie2018 Oct30077815
Fipronil (Phenylpyrazole) induces hemato-biochemical, histological and genetic damage at low doses in common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758).Ecotoxicology2018 Nov30242594
Influence of Chronic Toxicity, Lipid Metabolism, Learning and Memory Ability, and Related Enzyme in Sprague-Dawley Rats by Long-Term Chromium Malate Supplementation.Biol Trace Elem Res2018 May 2429797207
Modulation of key lipid raft constituents in primary rat hepatocytes by fumonisin B<sub>1</sub> - Implications for cancer promotion in the liver.Food Chem Toxicol2018 May29510220
Does Low-Protein Diet Influence the Uremic Toxin Serum Levels From the Gut Microbiota in Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients?J Ren Nutr2018 May29439931
Strain-Specific Quantification of Native Probiotic Bacillus spp. and Their Effect on Liver Function and Gut Microflora of Experimental Rats.Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins2018 Mar 629512027
The Effect of Tomatine on Gene Expression and Cell Monolayer Integrity in Caco-2.Molecules2018 Mar 1329533987
Dose-Dependent Effects of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation on the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Level and Cardiometabolic Profile in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial.Nutrients2018 Jun 1529914095
Akkermansia muciniphila can reduce the damage of gluco/lipotoxicity, oxidative stress and inflammation, and normalize intestine microbiota in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Pathog Dis2018 Jun 129668928
Mechanism of bisphenol AF-induced progesterone inhibition in human chorionic gonadotrophin-stimulated mouse Leydig tumor cell line (mLTC-1) cells.Environ Toxicol2018 Jun29575470
An overview of Jatropha curcas meal-induced productive and reproductive toxicity in Japanese quail: Potential mechanisms and heat detoxification.Theriogenology2018 Jun29554603
Antihyperlipidemic efficacy of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in albino rats.Lipids Health Dis2018 Jul 2730053819

Targets

Specific Function:
Hormone that seems to suppress insulin ability to stimulate glucose uptake into adipose cells. Potentially links obesity to diabetes.
Gene Name:
RETN
Uniprot ID:
Q9HD89
Molecular Weight:
11419.195 Da
General Function:
Transcriptional repressor activity, rna polymerase ii core promoter proximal region sequence-specific binding
Specific Function:
Transcriptional activator required for lipid homeostasis. Regulates transcription of the LDL receptor gene as well as the cholesterol and to a lesser degree the fatty acid synthesis pathway (By similarity). Binds the sterol regulatory element 1 (SRE-1) (5'-ATCACCCCAC-3') found in the flanking region of the LDRL and HMG-CoA synthase genes.
Gene Name:
SREBF2
Uniprot ID:
Q12772
Molecular Weight:
123686.44 Da
General Function:
Sterol 14-demethylase activity
Specific Function:
Catalyzes C14-demethylation of lanosterol; it transforms lanosterol into 4,4'-dimethyl cholesta-8,14,24-triene-3-beta-ol.
Gene Name:
CYP51A1
Uniprot ID:
Q16850
Molecular Weight:
56805.26 Da
References
  1. Ekins S, Mankowski DC, Hoover DJ, Lawton MP, Treadway JL, Harwood HJ Jr: Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of human CYP51 inhibitors. Drug Metab Dispos. 2007 Mar;35(3):493-500. Epub 2006 Dec 28. [17194716 ]
General Function:
Xenobiotic-transporting atpase activity
Specific Function:
Energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells.
Gene Name:
ABCB1
Uniprot ID:
P08183
Molecular Weight:
141477.255 Da
References
  1. Wang E, Casciano CN, Clement RP, Johnson WW: Cholesterol interaction with the daunorubicin binding site of P-glycoprotein. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000 Oct 5;276(3):909-16. [11027568 ]
General Function:
Zinc ion binding
Specific Function:
Nuclear receptor. Interaction with RXR shifts RXR from its role as a silent DNA-binding partner to an active ligand-binding subunit in mediating retinoid responses through target genes defined by LXRES. LXRES are DR4-type response elements characterized by direct repeats of two similar hexanuclotide half-sites spaced by four nucleotides. Plays an important role in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis, regulating cholesterol uptake through MYLIP-dependent ubiquitination of LDLR, VLDLR and LRP8. Interplays functionally with RORA for the regulation of genes involved in liver metabolism (By similarity). Exhibits a ligand-dependent transcriptional activation activity (PubMed:25661920).
Gene Name:
NR1H3
Uniprot ID:
Q13133
Molecular Weight:
50395.34 Da
References
  1. Ruan XZ, Moorhead JF, Fernando R, Wheeler DC, Powis SH, Varghese Z: PPAR agonists protect mesangial cells from interleukin 1beta-induced intracellular lipid accumulation by activating the ABCA1 cholesterol efflux pathway. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2003 Mar;14(3):593-600. [12595494 ]
General Function:
Phospholipid binding
Specific Function:
Apolipoprotein B is a major protein constituent of chylomicrons (apo B-48), LDL (apo B-100) and VLDL (apo B-100). Apo B-100 functions as a recognition signal for the cellular binding and internalization of LDL particles by the apoB/E receptor.
Gene Name:
APOB
Uniprot ID:
P04114
Molecular Weight:
515600.06 Da
General Function:
Very-low-density lipoprotein particle receptor binding
Specific Function:
Mediates the binding, internalization, and catabolism of lipoprotein particles. It can serve as a ligand for the LDL (apo B/E) receptor and for the specific apo-E receptor (chylomicron remnant) of hepatic tissues.
Gene Name:
APOE
Uniprot ID:
P02649
Molecular Weight:
36153.83 Da
General Function:
Virus receptor activity
Specific Function:
Binds LDL, the major cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein of plasma, and transports it into cells by endocytosis. In order to be internalized, the receptor-ligand complexes must first cluster into clathrin-coated pits.(Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for hepatitis C virus in hepatocytes, but not through a direct interaction with viral proteins (PubMed:10535997, PubMed:12615904). Acts as a receptor for vesicular stomatitis virus (PubMed:23589850). In case of HIV-1 infection, may function as a receptor for extracellular Tat in neurons, mediating its internalization in uninfected cells (PubMed:11100124).
Gene Name:
LDLR
Uniprot ID:
P01130
Molecular Weight:
95375.105 Da
General Function:
Transcriptional activator activity, rna polymerase ii core promoter proximal region sequence-specific binding
Specific Function:
Transcriptional activator required for lipid homeostasis. Regulates transcription of the LDL receptor gene as well as the fatty acid and to a lesser degree the cholesterol synthesis pathway (By similarity). Binds to the sterol regulatory element 1 (SRE-1) (5'-ATCACCCCAC-3'). Has dual sequence specificity binding to both an E-box motif (5'-ATCACGTGA-3') and to SRE-1 (5'-ATCACCCCAC-3').
Gene Name:
SREBF1
Uniprot ID:
P36956
Molecular Weight:
121673.6 Da
General Function:
Zinc ion binding
Specific Function:
Nuclear receptor that binds DNA as a monomer to ROR response elements (RORE) containing a single core motif half-site 5'-AGGTCA-3' preceded by a short A-T-rich sequence. Key regulator of embryonic development, cellular differentiation, immunity, circadian rhythm as well as lipid, steroid, xenobiotics and glucose metabolism. Considered to have intrinsic transcriptional activity, have some natural ligands like oxysterols that act as agonists (25-hydroxycholesterol) or inverse agonists (7-oxygenated sterols), enhancing or repressing the transcriptional activity, respectively. Recruits distinct combinations of cofactors to target genes regulatory regions to modulate their transcriptional expression, depending on the tissue, time and promoter contexts. Regulates genes involved in photoreceptor development including OPN1SW, OPN1SM and ARR3 and skeletal muscle development with MYOD1. Required for proper cerebellum development, regulates SHH gene expression, among others, to induce granule cells proliferation as well as expression of genes involved in calcium-mediated signal transduction. Regulates the circadian expression of several clock genes, including CLOCK, ARNTL/BMAL1, NPAS2 and CRY1. Competes with NR1D1 for binding to their shared DNA response element on some clock genes such as ARNTL/BMAL1, CRY1 and NR1D1 itself, resulting in NR1D1-mediated repression or RORA-mediated activation of clock genes expression, leading to the circadian pattern of clock genes expression. Therefore influences the period length and stability of the clock. Regulates genes involved in lipid metabolism such as apolipoproteins APOA1, APOA5, APOC3 and PPARG. In liver, has specific and redundant functions with RORC as positive or negative modulator of expression of genes encoding phase I and phase II proteins involved in the metabolism of lipids, steroids and xenobiotics, such as CYP7B1 and SULT2A1. Induces a rhythmic expression of some of these genes. In addition, interplays functionally with NR1H2 and NR1H3 for the regulation of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Also involved in the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism through the modulation of G6PC and PCK1. In adipose tissue, plays a role as negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, probably acting through dual mechanisms. May suppress CEBPB-dependent adipogenesis through direct interaction and PPARG-dependent adipogenesis through competition for DNA-binding. Downstream of IL6 and TGFB and synergistically with RORC isoform 2, is implicated in the lineage specification of uncommitted CD4(+) T-helper (T(H)) cells into T(H)17 cells, antagonizing the T(H)1 program. Probably regulates IL17 and IL17F expression on T(H) by binding to the essential enhancer conserved non-coding sequence 2 (CNS2) in the IL17-IL17F locus. Involved in hypoxia signaling by interacting with and activating the transcriptional activity of HIF1A. May inhibit cell growth in response to cellular stress. May exert an anti-inflammatory role by inducing CHUK expression and inhibiting NF-kappa-B signaling.
Gene Name:
RORA
Uniprot ID:
P35398
Molecular Weight:
58974.35 Da
References
  1. Overington JP, Al-Lazikani B, Hopkins AL: How many drug targets are there? Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Dec;5(12):993-6. [17139284 ]
General Function:
Protein kinase binding
Specific Function:
Plays an essential role in the initiation of DNA replication. During the S phase of the cell cycle, the DNA polymerase alpha complex (composed of a catalytic subunit POLA1/p180, a regulatory subunit POLA2/p70 and two primase subunits PRIM1/p49 and PRIM2/p58) is recruited to DNA at the replicative forks via direct interactions with MCM10 and WDHD1. The primase subunit of the polymerase alpha complex initiates DNA synthesis by oligomerising short RNA primers on both leading and lagging strands. These primers are initially extended by the polymerase alpha catalytic subunit and subsequently transferred to polymerase delta and polymerase epsilon for processive synthesis on the lagging and leading strand, respectively. The reason this transfer occurs is because the polymerase alpha has limited processivity and lacks intrinsic 3' exonuclease activity for proofreading error, and therefore is not well suited for replicating long complexes.
Gene Name:
POLA1
Uniprot ID:
P09884
Molecular Weight:
165911.405 Da
References
  1. Oshige M, Kuramochi K, Ohta K, Ogawa A, Kuriyama H, Sugawara F, Kobayashi S, Sakaguchi K: Molecular design of cholesterols as inhibitors of DNA polymerase alpha. J Med Chem. 2004 Sep 23;47(20):4971-4. [15369402 ]