[From cholesterol to bile acids. Cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase].
1979
P Labadie
UI
MeSH Term
Description
Entries
D002784
Cholesterol
The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.
Epicholesterol
D002790
Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase
A membrane-bound cytochrome P450 enzyme that catalyzes the 7-alpha-hydroxylation of CHOLESTEROL in the presence of molecular oxygen and NADPH-FERRIHEMOPROTEIN REDUCTASE. This enzyme, encoded by CYP7, converts cholesterol to 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol which is the first and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of BILE ACIDS.
Steroid acids and salts. The primary bile acids are derived from cholesterol in the liver and usually conjugated with glycine or taurine. The secondary bile acids are further modified by bacteria in the intestine. They play an important role in the digestion and absorption of fat. They have also been used pharmacologically, especially in the treatment of gallstones.
Bile Acid,Bile Salt,Bile Salts,Bile Acids,Acid, Bile,Acids, Bile,Salt, Bile,Salts, Bile