title: Sterol biosynthesis in the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus.
abstract: The fate of the known sterol precursor squalene 2,3-oxide was investigated in the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus. The nematodes were cultured axenically in the presence of [4-(3)H]squalene 2,3-oxide. Radioactivity was found in the total lipids of the isolated nematodes. Essentially all of the radioactivity encountered in the total lipids was found in the non-saponifiable fraction. The components present in the non-saponifiable fraction were separated and isolated by t.l.c. Three labelled components were identified by a combination of t.l.c., g.l.c. and mass spectroscopy. It is established that P. redivivus has the capacity for biosynthesis of lanosterol. No labelled C(27) sterols could be detected.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000378:metabolism; D007810:Lanosterol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009348:Nematoda / Q000378:metabolism*; D013185:Squalene / Q000378:metabolism; D013261:Sterols / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D013261:Sterols; D014316:Tritium; D007810:Lanosterol; D013185:Squalene