Role of cholesterol 10-methyl group and effect of "extra" 14-methyl group on silkworm growth and development.
In order to establish the functional importance of the 10-methyl group of cholesterol and the planarity of the steroid ring, silkworms (Bombyx mori) were reared on an artificial diet containing 19-norcholesterol (1), 14 alpha-methylcholesterol (3) or 19,19-difluorocholesterol (2). The former two sterols (1 and 3) only partially satisfied the silkworm sterol requirement; growth and development were seriously retarded. The fluorinated sterol (2) was much more deleterious and was totally inadequate in meeting the sterol requirement.
Mamiya
M
M
Takahashi
K
K
Eguchi
S
S
Morisaki
M
M
D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000254:growth & development*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D002784:Cholesterol