Dinoflagellate sterols IV: Isolation and structure of 4α,23ξ,24ξ-trimethylcholestanol from the dinoflagellate Glenodiniumhallii

The dinoflagellate $\text{Glenodinium}$$\text{hallii}$ was investigated for its sterol composition. Five of the six sterols were isolated and identified as cholest-5-en-3β-ol, (24ξ)-24-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, stigmasta-5,22-dien-3β-ol, (22E,24R)-4α,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β-ol, and 4α,23ξ,24ξ-trimethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol.     

Sterols of Agarum cribosum: desmosterol in a brown alga

The sterol composition of the cold water brown alga Agarum cribosum was determined by GC—MS. Six of the seven sterols found were identified as stigmata-5,(E)-24(28)-dien-3β-ol (fucosterol), 24-methylenecholest-5-en-3β-ol (24-methylenecholesterol), cholest-5-en-3β-ol (cholesterol), 3β-hydroxycholest-5-en-24-one (24-ketocholesterol), 24ξ-stigmasta-5,28-diene-3β,24-diol (saringosterol) and cholesta-5, 24-dien-3β-ol (desmosterol).     

STEROLS OF 14 SPECIES OF MARINE DIATOMS (BACILLARIOPHYTA)1

The sterol compositions of 14 species of marine diatoms were determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A variety of sterol profiles were found. The sterols 24-methylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, cholest-5-en-3β-ol, and 24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, previously described as the most common sterols found in diatoms, were major sterols in only a few of the species. In light of this and other recent data, it is clear that these three sterols are not typical constituents of many diatom species. Most of the centric species examined had 24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol and 24-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol as two of their major sterols. The exception was Rhizosolenia setigera, which possessed cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol as its single major sterol. In contrast to the centric species, the pennate diatoms examined did not have any particular sterols common to most species. Minor levels ofΔ⁷-sterols, rarely found in large amounts in diatoms, were found in four species. C₂₉sterols were found in many species; seven contained 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol and three contained 24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, reinforcing previous suggestions that C₂₉ sterols are not restricted to higher plants and macroalgae. 24-Ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol may prove to be useful for taxonomy of the genus Amphora and the order Thalassiophysales. A major sterol of Fragilaria pinnata was the uncommon algal sterol 23,24-dimethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol. Cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol was the only sterol found in the culture of Nitzschia closterium. This differed from previous reports of 24-methylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol as the single major sterol in N. closterium. Two C₂₈ sterols possessing an unusual side chain were found in Thalassi-onema nitzschioides, a C_28:2 sterol (16%) and a C_28:1 sterol in lower abundance (2.5%), which may be 23-methylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol and 23-methyl-5α-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol, respectively. The species Cylindrotheca fusiformis, T. nitzschioides, and Skeletonema sp. may be useful as direct sources of cholesterol in mariculture feeds due to their moderate to high content of this sterol.     

Analysis of sterols in selected bloom-forming algae in China

Sterols, a group of stable lipid compounds, are often used as biomarkers in marine biogeochemical studies to indicate sources of organic matter. In this study, sterols in 13 species of major bloom-forming algae in China, which belong to Dinophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Ulvophyceae, and Pelagophyceae, were analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to test their feasibility in representing different types of harmful algal blooms (HABs). It was found that (24Z)-stigmasta-5,24-dien-3β-ol (28-isofucosterol) was a major sterol component in green-tide forming macroalga Ulva prolifera. In bloom-forming dinoflagellates Alexandrium spp., Prorocentrum micans and Scrippsiella trochoidea, (22E)-4α,23-dimethyl-5α-ergost-22-en-3β-ol (dinosterol) was detected in addition to cholest-5-en-3β-ol (cholesterol), (22E)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3β-ol, (22E)-stigmasta-5,22-dien-3β-ol and other minor sterol components. In brown-tide forming pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens, (24E)-24-propylcholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol ((24E)-24-propylidenecholesterol) and (24Z)-24-propylcholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol ((24Z)-24-propylidenecholesterol) were detected together with cholesterol, (22E)-stigmasta-5,22-dien-3β-ol, stigmast-5-en-3β-ol and campest-5-en-3β-ol. Among the selected bloom-forming diatoms, Chaetoceros sp. and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. only produced cholesterol, while Cylindrotheca closterium produced solely (22E)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3β-ol. Sterol content in four bloom-forming algal species correlates well with their biomass or abundance. It's proposed that 28-isofucosterol could serve as a promising biomarker for green algae in green-tide studies. Dinosterol and (24Z)-24-propylidenecholesterol can be used as potential biomarkers to represent bloom-forming dinoflagellates and pelagophytes, while (22E)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3β-ol is not a good indicator for diatoms.     

Dominance of Δ5-sterols in eight species of the cactaceae

The sterols from eight species in seven genera of the Cactaceae are 24-alkyl-Δ⁵-sterols. In all eight species, Echinopsis tubiflora, Pereskia aculeata, Hylocereus undatus, Notocactus scopa, Epiphyllum sp., Schlumbergera bridgesii, Opuntia comonduensis and O. humifusa, the dominant sterol is sitosterol (24α-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol) at 66–87% of the total sterol composition with the 24ξ-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol present at 8–33%. Stigmasterol (24α-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol) is present at 2–8% of the total sterol in P. aculeata, H. undatus, N. scopa and Epiphyllum sp. whereas cholesterol (cholest-5-en-3β-ol) is present in six species at levels of <0.1–5.0%. Avenasterol (24-ethylcholesta-7,24(28)Z-dien-3/gb-ol) and sitostanol (24α-ethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol) are each present in two species.     

The structure of calibagenin

The main sapogenin of Calibanus hookerii, calibagenin, C₂₇H₄₆O₃, is a new steroidal sapogenin with an open side chain. The structure has been determined by chemical and spectrometric studies as cholest-5-en-3β,16ξ,22ξ-triol. The phytochemical relationships of open side chain sapogenins are discussed.     

The fatty acid and sterol composition of two marine dinoflagellates

The fatty acid, sterol and chlorophyll pigment compositions of the marine dinoflagellates Gymnodinium wilczeki and Prorocentrum cordatum are reported. The fatty acids of both algae show a typical dinoflagellate distribution pattern with a predominance of C₁₈, C₂₀ and C₂₂ unsaturated components. The acid 18:5ω3 is present at high concentration in these two dinoflagellates. G. wilczeki contains a high proportion (93.4%) of 4-methyl-5α-stanols including 4,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol (dinosterol), dinostanol and 4,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol reported for the first time in dinoflagellates. The role of this sterol in the biosynthesis of 5α-stanols in dinoflagellates is discussed. P. cordatum contains high concentrations of a number of δ ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾-sterols with dinosterol, 24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, 23,24-dimethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, 4,24-dimethyl-5α-cholest-24(28)-en-3β-ol and a sterol identified as either 4,23,24-trimethyl- or 4-methyl-24-ethyl-5α-cholest-24(28)-en-3β-ol present as the five major components. The role of marine dinoflagellates in the input of both 4-methyl- and 4-desmethyl-5α-stanols to marine sediments is discussed.     

STEROL DISTRIBUTION IN THE GENUS HETEROCAPSA (PYRRHOPHYTA)1

The sterol composition of seven strains of marine peridinioid dinoflagellates comprising the four known species of Heterocapsa Stein was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the utility of these compounds in systematics. Cholest-5-en-3β-ol (cholesterol), 24-methyl-cholest-5-en-3β-ol (24-methylcholesterol), 4α,24(S)-dimethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol (4,24-dimethylcholestanol), 4α,23,24(R)-trimethyl-5α-cholest-22-en-3β-ol (dinosterol), 4α,23ξ,24ξ-trimethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol (dihydrodinosterol), and an unknown sterol were detected. Sterol composition does not vary significantly from species to species within the genus Heterocapsa and thus cannot be used for species differentiation. Sterols may, however, have value in defining the properties of dinoflagellate taxa above the family level. Over the course of the growth curve for Heterocapsa niei (Loeblich) Morrill & Loeblich 4,24-dimethylcholestanol and dinosterol covaried, suggesting that 4,24-dimethylcholestanol is converted into dinosterol by a previously proposed bioalkylation scheme.     

Sterols with unusual nuclear unsaturation from three cultured marine dinoflagellates

Several new 4α-methyl sterols with unusual unsaturation in the Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-or Δ¹⁴-positions, 4α,24S-dimethyl-5α-cholest-8 (14)-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-24(Z)-ethylidene-5α-cholest-8(14)- en-3β-ol, 4α,23 (or 22),24ξ-trimethyl-5α-cholesta-8(14),22-dien-3β-ol, 4α,24S(or 23ξ)-dimethyl-5α-cholest-14-en-3β-ol and 14-dehydrodinosterol, have been isolated from extracts of the cultured marine dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae, A. corpulentum and Glenodinium sp. 4α-Methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol was isolated from the steryl ester fraction of Glenodinium sp. The structures of these new sterols are based upon extensive 360 MHz ¹H NMR and MS analyses.     

Free sterols,steryl esters,glucosides, acylated glucosides and water-soluble complexes in Calendula officinalis

In 3- and 14-day-old seedlings and in the leaves of Calendula officinalis the following sterols were identified: cholestanol, campestanol, stigmastanol, cholest-7-en-3-β-ol, 24-methylcholest-7-en-3β-ol, stigmast-7-en-3β-ol, cholesterol, campesterol, sitosterol, 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol, 24-methylenecholesterol, stigmasterol and clerosterol. Sitosterol was predominant in young and stigmasterol in old tissues. Young tissues contained relatively more campesterol but in old tissues a C₂₈Δ^5,22 diene was present suggesting transformation of campesterol to its Δ^5,22 analog, similar to that of sitosterol to stigmasterol. All the identified sterols were present as free compounds and also in the steryl esters, glucosides, acylated glucosides and water-soluble complexes. The variations in the amounts of these fractions in the embryo axes and cotyledons of 3- and 14-day-old seedlings and the distribution of individual sterols among the fractions are discussed.     

Sterols of Amphidinium species in the Operculatum Clade: Predominance of cholesterol instead of Δ8(14) sterols previously considered Amphidinium-specific biomarkers

The dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae and Amphidinium corpulentum have been previously characterized as having Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-nuclear unsaturated 4α-methyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol (C_28:1) and 4α-methyl-5α-ergosta-8(14),24(28)-dien-3β-ol (amphisterol; C_29:2) as predominant sterols, where they comprise approximately 80% of the total sterol composition. These two sterols have hence been considered as possible major sterol biomarkers for the genus. Here, we have examined the sterols of four recently identified species of Amphidinium (Amphidinium fijiense, Amphidinium magnum, Amphidinium theodori, and Amphidinium tomasii) that are closely related to Amphidinium operculatum as part of what is termed the Operculatum Clade to show that each species has its sterol composition dominated by the common dinoflagellate sterol cholesterol (cholest-5-en-3β-ol; C_27:1), which is found in many other dinoflagellate genera, rather than Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ sterols. While the Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ sterols 4α-methyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol and 4α,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-8(14),22E-dien-3β-ol (C_30:2) were present as minor sterols along with another common dinoflagellate sterol, 4α,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol (dinosterol; C_30:1), in some of these four species, amphisterol was not conclusively observed. From a chemotaxonomic perspective, while this does reinforce the genus Amphidinium's ability to produce Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ sterols, albeit here as minor sterols, these results demonstrate that caution should be used when considering Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ sterols, especially amphisterol, as Amphidinium-specific biomarkers within these species where cholesterol is the predominant sterol.     

Minor sterols of marine invertebrates 37. Isolation of novel coprostanols and 4α-methyl sterols from the tunicate Ascidia nigra

The complex sterol mixture isolated from $\text{A, nigra}$ was found to contain a low level of Δ⁴-3-keto steroids, 5β-stanols and 4α-methyl sterols in addition to regular (4-demethyl) sterols. The following new marine sterols were isolated and identified using MS and 360 MHz NMR: 5β-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol, 24S-methyl-5β-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol, 24-methylene-5β-cholestan-3β-ol, both epimers at C-24 of 4α-methyl-24-ethyl-5α-cholest-22E-en-3β-ol, 4α, 22ξ, 23ξ-(or 24ξ-)trimethyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol and (22S, 23S, 24S)-4α-24-dimethyl-22, 23-methylene-5α-cholestan-3β-ol. The latter sterol and 23-demethylgorqosterol have opposite configurations at C-22, C-23, and C-24; the Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾ sterol has an unprecedented side chain.     

Dehydrodinosterol,dinosterone and related sterols of a non-photosynthetic dinoflagellate, Crypthecodinium cohnii

The heterotrophic dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii contained the 4α-methyl sterols, dinosterol, dehydrodinosterol (4α,23,24-trimethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol) and the tentatively identified 4α,24-dimethyl-cholestan-3β-ol and 4α,24-dimethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol. The major 4-demethyl sterol was cholesta-5,7-dien-3β-ol which was accompanied by a smaller amount of cholesterol and traces of several other C₂₇,C₂₈ and C₂₉ sterols. In addition, a 3-oxo-steroid fraction was isolated and the major component identified as dinosterone (4α,23,24-trimethylcholest-22-en-3-one). The possible biosynthetic relationships of these compounds are discussed.     

Configuration at C-24 of sterols from the liverwort Palavicinnia lyellii

The 4-desmethylsterol fraction of the liverwort Palavicinnia lyellii is composed of 36% 24β-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol (dihydrobrassicasterol), 16% 24α-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol (campesterol), 33% 24α-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol (sitosterol) and 15% 24ξ-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol.     

LIPIDS IN BLUE-GREEN ALGAL MATS (MODERN STROMATOLITES) FROM ANTARCTIC OASIS LAKES1

Lipids comprising the stenols, stanols, polar lipid fatty acids, alkanes and alkenes of blue-green algal-(diatomaceous)-microbial mats and cores (modern cold water stromatolites) collected from three Antarctic lakes were identified and compared with those of other algae. The major stenols were: (cholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol, cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 24-methylcholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol, 24-methyl-cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 24-ethylcholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol, and 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol). The presence of C28 Δ^{3, 22} stenols, as well as other C28 stenols, was suggestive of diatom input. C29 stenols may have originated from blue-grern algae. However, the high concentrations of stenols present and the lack of Δ⁷ stenols was atypical for known stenol components of several blue-green algal species previously reported. The occurrence of these stenols and other lipid markers strongls implicate diatoms as well as blue-green algae as important biogenetic sources of lipids and has established the potential for studies of lipid diagenesis in these unique cold, freshwater stromatolites .     

Steroidal constituents of Solanum xanthocarpum

From the extract of the fruits of Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae), five new steroidal compounds were isolated and characterized: 4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β,22ξ-diol (1), 3β,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (2), 3β-benzoxy-14β,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (3), 3β-benzoxy-14α,22ξ-dihydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (4) and 3β-(p-hydroxy)-benzoxy-22ξ-hydroxy-4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one (5).     

Sterols of the unicellular algae Nematochrysopsis roscoffensis and Chrysotila lamellosa: isolation of (24E)-24-n-propylidenecholesterol and 24-n-propylcholesterol

Two rare C₃₀-sterols, (24E)-24-n-propylidenecholest-5-en-3β-ol and 24-n-propylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, and (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien- 3β-ol (stigmasterol) are the major sterols of Nematochrysopsis roscoffensis, a Chrysophyte of the Sarcinochrysidales order. This unique sterol composition is different from the sterol contents of other Chrysophytes and justifies the peculiar position of the Sarcinochrysidales, which are by some characteristics morphologically and biologically related to the Phaeophyceae. The presence of (24S)-24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (24-epibrassicasterol) as a major sterol in Chrysotila lamellosa is in accordance with the few previous results obtained from other Prymnesiophyceae, although the presence of the other major sterol, (24R)-24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (poriferasterol) has never been reported in these algae.     

Distribution pattern of sterols in liverworts belonging to the jungermanniineae

The sterol fractions of eight leafy liverworts were analyzed by GLC and GC-MS. Five 3β-sterols, cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 24-methylcholest-5,22-dien-3β-ol, 24-methylcholest-5-en-3p-ol, 24-ethylcholest-5,22-dien-3β-ol and 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, were detected in all samples but there were differences in the relative amounts present.     

Sterols with 29, 28 and 27 carbon atoms metabolically related to cholesterol, occurring in developing and mature brain

Brain sterols from chick embryos (11 and 18 days of incubation) and mature rats, previously injected with [2-¹⁴C]mevalonate, were analysed. Acetate derivatives of the sterols were chromatographed on Silica Gel:Celite:AgNO₃ columns. Sterol fractions were assayed for radioactivity and the amounts determined by gas chromatography. Sterol structures were elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method used allowed the identification of some sterols representing no more than 0-01 per cent of the total mixture. The following brain sterols were identified: cholesterol, cholestanol, cholest-5,24-dien-3β-ol (desmosterol); 4,4′-dimethyl-cholest-8-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-cholest-8-en-3β-ol, cholest-8-en-3β-ol, 4,4′-dimethyl-choIest-8,24-dien-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-cholest-8,24-dien-3β-ol, cholest-8,24-dien-3β-ol and cholest-7,24-dien-3β-ol. Small amounts of other sterols including polyhydroxy sterols, were also detected. There were no qualitative differences in the sterols detected in developing and mature brain. In the developing chick brain, cholesterol represented approximately 90 per cent of the total sterols. In the mature rat brain, cholesterol accounted for 98 per cent of the sterols. The adult rat brain, as well as the embryonic chick brain, demonstrated the capacity to incorporate mevalonate into cholesterol precursors and cholestanol. The sterols retaining the double bond in the lateral chain, that is, those of the Δ^8,24 series with 29, 28 and 27 carbon atoms and desmosterol, were highly labelled compared with the other identified intermediates. The possibility, supported by our data, that a preferential biosynthetic route for cholesterol exists in brain, is discussed.     

Free sterols of the red alga Gigartina skottsbergii

The free sterols of the red alga Gigartina skottsbergii have been identified by means of GC and GC/MS analyses. The mixture contained saturated and unsaturated C²⁷, C²⁸ and C²⁹ sterols. The major component was cholest-5-en-3β-ol. Cholesta-5,24-dien-3β-ol (desmosterol) was present in low proportion but no side chain hydroxylated components were detected.