Application Notes:
Oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase (OSLC) catalyzes the cyclization of (3S)-2,3-oxidosqualene into lanosterol, which is the
key step in the biosynthesis of sterols in animals and fungi.1 Lanosterol is converted to ergosterol in yeast and fungi and to
cholesterol in mammals by the enzyme lanosterol synthase. Although the main substrate for phytosterols is cycloartenol there
is evidence that lanosterol acts as a minor precursor for these sterols.2 In patients with Parkinson’s disease lanosterol acts as a
neuroprotective agent in dopaminergic neurons by inducing mild uncoupling of mitochondria and promoting autophagy.3
Lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ergosterol from lanosterol in fungi and yeast,
making it an important target for antifungal drugs.4
References:
1. M. Kimura et al. “Protostadienol synthase from Aspergillus fumigatus: Functional conversion into
lanosterol synthase” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 391 pp. 899-902, 2010
2. K. Ohyama et al. “Dual biosynthetic pathways to phytosterol via cycloartenol and lanosterol in Arabidopsis” PNAS, Vol. 106(3) pp. 725-730, 2009
3. L. Lim et al. “Lanosterol induces mitochondrial uncoupling and protects dopaminergic neurons from cell death in a model for Parkinson’s disease” Cell Death and Differentiation, Vol. 19 pp. 416-427, 2012
4. C. Sheng et al. “Three-Dimensional Model of Lanosterol 14-alpha-Demethylase from Cryptococcus neoformans: Active-Site Characterization and Insights into Azole Binding” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Vol. 53(8) pp. 3487-3495, 2009