title: [Successes in studying the physiological activity of terpenoids and steroids].
abstract: Data concerning the structure and function of prenyl proteins and peptides of fungi and animals are reviewed. There exist proteins that are posttranslationally modified by thioether-linked farnesyl- or geranylgeranyl groups; the modification affects the cysteine residue near the C-terminus. Prenylation increases hydrophobicity and is expected to promote protein binding to membrane lipids or other hydrophobic proteins. Isopentenyl-adenylated proteins mediate isoprenoid control over DNA synthesis and are involved in regulation of cell proliferation in animals. Sterols of fungi and plants play a role in regulation of the membrane structure as well as in proliferation. The significance biologically active terpenoids for biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture is discussed.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Paseshnichenko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D013729:Terpenes