(01/28/11) Lecture by Kevin Ahern of Oregon State University discussing Biochemistry Basics in BB 451. See the full course at oregonstate.edu This course can be taken for credit (wherever you live) via OSU's ecampus. For details, see ecampus.oregonstate.edu Download Metabolic Melodies at www.davincipress.com Related courses include BB 350 - oregonstate.edu BB 450 - oregonstate.edu BB 100 - oregonstate.edu 1. From cholesterol, one can synthesize the bile salts (glycocholate and taurocholate, among others), which are useful in solubilizing fat in the diet. Cholesterol also leads to synthesis of the steroid hormones. These are derived from pregnenolone and include the glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens. 2. Estrogens (female sex hormones) are derived from androgens (male sex hormones) by action of an unusual enzyme known as an aromatase. This enzyme makes aromatic rings and is a target of chemotherapy in the form of aromatase inhibitors (used to halt the production of estrogens and the growth of estrogen-sensitive tumors). 3. Vitamin D is produced as another biproduct of cholesterol metabolism. It synthesis starts from 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is converted by ultraviolet irradiation to Previtamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the active form and is made from Previtamin D3. (I said calcitriol was the active form in class - it is not. Calcitriol is a form that acts as a hormone) Highlights - Fatty Acid Oxidation 1. Fats are broken down to fatty acids and ...
