Lanosterol is a tetracyclic triterpenoid, which is the compound from which all steroids are derived.
Elaboration of lanosterol under enzyme catalysis leads to the core structure of steroids (lanosterol synthesis pathway).
14-Demethylation of lanosterol by CYP51 eventually yields cholesterol.
Biosynthesis
Two molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) condense with reduction by NADPH to form squalene.
Squalene is oxidized to 2,3-oxidosqualene (squalene epoxide).
2,3-Oxidosqualene is converted to a protosterol cation and finally to lanosterol.
See also
terpenoid (isoprenoid)