Cholesterol metabolism by Cheiranthus cheiri leaf and tissue culture homogenates

Abstract

Cheiranthus cheiri leaf and tissue culture homogenates readily metabolize [4- 14C] cholesterol to 4-cholesten-3-one. The cytoplasmic fraction has the greatest metabolic activity, although other fractions are active as well. Homogenates from Nerium oleander leaves and Dioscorea deltoidea tissue cultures are devoid of metabolic activity under identical conditions. Digitalis leaf homogenates are only about 1 70 th as active as the Cheiranthus systems. The first step in cholesterol side chain cleavage by plants may be the formation of 4-cholesten-3-one.