Squalene

Squalene is an intermediate in cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis. It is formed from presqualene pyrophosphate (Figure 19.21) in the walls of the endoplasmic reticulum using electrons from NADPH. In the reaction, the pyrophosphate is removed from the molecule.

Subsequently, squalene is cyclized to lanosterol, which is subsequently converted to cholesterol (Figure 19.22).

See also: Presqualene Pyrophosphate, Lanosterol, Cholesterol Biosynthesis, Steroid Metabolism, Steroid Hormone Synthesis

INTERNET LINK: Sterol Biosynthesis