24-METHYL-23-DEHYDROCHOLESTEROL: A NEW STEROL INTERMEDIATE IN C-24 DEMETHYLATION FROM THE NEMATODES PANAGRELLUS REDIVIVUS AND CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS?

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0039-128X(86)90031-0

Panagrellus redivivus produced 24-methyl-23-dehydrocholesterol as 4.0percent of the 4-desmethylsterols when propagated in a medium containing campesterol as the dietary sterol.The re-examination of previous data revealed that Caenorhabditis elegans produced 1.8percent 24-methyl-23-dehydrocholesterol when propagated in medium containing campesterol. 24-Methyl-23-dehydrocholesterol was not detected when the nematodes were propagated in medium containing 22-dihydrobrassicasterol or 24-methylenecholesterol.This may be a result of the greater efficiency of dealkylation of the latter two sterols.This is the first report of the natural occurrence of this sterol in a non-photosynthetic organism, and the first report in organisms that dealkylate 24-alkylsterols.