Molecular evolution of cholesterol and other higher sterols in relation to membrane structure

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

The lipidomes of cell membranes, cells, organs, and the human body are immense, reflecting that many different lipids are involved in a wide range of important and diverse biochemical and physiological functions. However, one specific type of lipid, cholesterol, stands out as a unique case being the single most abundant type of molecule in all animal plasma membranes which typically contain about 20% to 30% cholesterol. Even if derivatives of cholesterol are engaged in a host of biochemical processes, the simple cholesterol molecule itself seems by evolution to have been selected for its unique ability to modulate the physical state of membranes. Other higher sterols, such as sitosterol, ergosterol, and fucosterol, appear to have been evolved to serve a similar function in the kingdoms of plants, fungi, and algae, respectively.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCholesterol : From Chemistry and Biophysics to the Clinic
EditorsAnna N. Bukiya, Alex M. Dopio
Number of pages16
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2022
Pages25-40
Chapter2
ISBN (Print)978-0-323-85857-1, 9780323858588
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

    Research areas

  • Cholesterol, Evolution, Higher sterols, Lipids, Liquid-ordered phase, Membrane structure

ID: 303370178