title: delta 5,7,9(11)-Cholestatrien-3 beta-ol: a fluorescent cholesterol analogue.
abstract: Structural analysis, a purification scheme and stability information on a fluorescent cholesterol analogue, which has been used as a probe in several model and biological systems, are presented. The proposed structure for the fluorophore, cholestatrien-3 beta-ol, closely resembles that of cholesterol. However, problems of low yield during synthesis and rapid decomposition have impeded its use. This study concerns the synthesis and purification of cholestatrien-3 beta-ol by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Unlike cholestatrien-3 beta-ol recrystallized from solvents, the fluorescent sterol purified by HPLC was stable over several months at -70 degrees C either as a white, crystalline powder or in ethanolic solution. In model membranes the fluorescence of cholestatrien-3 beta-ol was stable to ultraviolet (UV) light. A simple spectroscopic assay for purity is presented. Included are detailed absorbance, fluorescence, mass, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectral analyses. The data confirm the structure of cholestatrien-3 beta-ol proposed, but not proven, over 50 years ago, delta 5,7,9(11)-cholestatrien-3 beta-ol.
mesh_terms: D002782:Cholestenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D002782:Cholestenes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C025498:cholesta-5,7,9-trien-3 beta-ol