Page 312 - Biochemistry PharmD General

Cholesterol Biosynthesis Pathway

Step 4: Conversion of squalene to the
four-ring steroid nucleus

Squalene monooxygenase adds one oxygen
atom from O2 which forms squalene-
2,3-epoxide.

Linear squalene epoxide can be converted

into a cyclical structure→

Lanosterol (in animal cells)→ converted
into cholesterol in a series of about 20
reactions

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