title: Comparative effects of growth inhibitors on sterol metabolism in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: An analogous series of dimethylalkyl compounds, consisting of four amines, an amide, and a phosphonate ester, inhibited motility and reproduction of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Dimethylamines with straight-chain lengths of 12, 14, or 16 carbon atoms were equally active nematicides, causing greater than 80% population growth inhibition at a concentration of 25 ppm. The C12 straight-chain amine and its corresponding amide produced similar inhibition and were much more potent than either the corresponding C12 phosphonate or a C12 branched-chain amine. Inhibition of the delta 24-sterol reductase system was exhibited by all four amines, but not by the amide or phosphonate, in the following order of activity: C12 branched-chain amine greater than C12 straight-chain amine greater than C14 amine greater than C16 amine. The C12 branched amine also blocked the C-24(28)-dehydrogenase system in the conversion of sitosterol to fucosterol, the initial step in sitosterol dealkylation.
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003640:Dealkylation; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000378:metabolism; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000588:Amines; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D012855:Sitosterols; D013261:Sterols; D002784:Cholesterol; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C022673:delta 24-sterol reductase