Steroid

A steroid is an organic compound with four fused rings (designated A, B, C, and D) arranged in a specific molecular configuration.

Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and as signaling molecules. Examples include the lipid cholesterol, sex hormones estradiol and testosterone,[2]: 10–19  anabolic steroids, and the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid drug dexamethasone.[3] Hundreds of steroids are found in fungi, plants, and animals. All steroids are manufactured in cells from a sterol: cholesterol (animals), lanosterol (opisthokonts), or cycloartenol (plants). All three of these molecules are produced via cyclization of the triterpene squalene.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference IUPAC_steroids was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Lednicer D (2011). Steroid Chemistry at a Glance. Hoboken: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-66084-3.
  3. ^ Rhen T, Cidlowski JA (October 2005). "Antiinflammatory action of glucocorticoids--new mechanisms for old drugs". The New England Journal of Medicine. 353 (16): 1711–1723. doi:10.1056/NEJMra050541. PMID 16236742. S2CID 5744727.
  4. ^ "Lanosterol biosynthesis". Recommendations on Biochemical & Organic Nomenclature, Symbols & Terminology. International Union Of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
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