Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.[1][2]
Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells and is an essential structural component of animal cell membranes. In vertebrates, hepatic cells typically produce the greatest amounts. It is absent among prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea), although there are some exceptions, such as Mycoplasma, which require cholesterol for growth.[3] Cholesterol also serves as a precursor for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, bile acid[4] and vitamin D.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
pubchemwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cholesterol at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- ^ Razin S, Tully JG (May 1970). "Cholesterol requirement of mycoplasmas". Journal of Bacteriology. 102 (2): 306–10. doi:10.1128/JB.102.2.306-310.1970. PMC 247552. PMID 4911537.
- ^ Hanukoglu I (December 1992). "Steroidogenic enzymes: structure, function, and role in regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 43 (8): 779–804. doi:10.1016/0960-0760(92)90307-5. PMID 22217824. S2CID 112729.