Open AccessThe Conversion of [ 14 C]Cycloartenol and [ 14 C]Lanosterol into Phytosterols by Cultures of Nicotiana tabacum
Author(s) -
Hewlins M. J. E.,
Ehrhardt J. D.,
Hirth L.,
Ourisson G.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1969.tb00513.x
Subject(s) - cycloartenol , lanosterol , phytosterol , nicotiana tabacum , chemistry , biochemistry , chromatography , biology , cholesterol , sterol , gene
Tissue cultures of Nicotiana tabacum were treated with [ 14 C]cyeloartenol and [ 14 C]lanosterol, and the 4,4‐dimethylsterol 4‐methylsterol and phytosterol fractions were examined for radioactivity. In both cases activity was incorporated into the phytosterols. The distributions of radioactivity in the 4,4‐dimethylsterols and 4‐methylsterols were compared with those obtained by incorporation of [ 14 C]acetic acid. It is concluded that cycloartenol is a true phytosterol precursor in the tissue cultures, whereas the possible role of lanosterol (not detectable in the cultures, even by isotopic dilution experiments) is not proven.