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Science 11 November 1977:
Vol. 198. no. 4317, pp. 627 - 629
DOI: 10.1126/science.198.4317.627
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Articles

3,beta-Hydroxy-5agr-cholestan-6-one: A Possible Precursor of agr-Ecdysone Biosynthesis

SYO SAKURAI 1, NOBUO IKEKAWA 2, TETSUYA OHTAKI 3, and HARUO CHINO 4

1 Biological Institute, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
2 Laboratory of Chemistry for Natural Products, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo
3 Department of Entomology, National Institute of Health, Shinagawa, Tokyo
4 Biochemical Laboratory, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

The conversion of cholesterol into 3beta-hydroxy-5agr-cholestan-6-one has been demonstrated to occur in prothoracic glands of last instar larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Incubation of glands containing radiolabeled 3beta-hydroxy-5agr-cholestan-6-one results in the disappearance of this sterol from the glands and the concomitant appearance of radiolabeled agr-ecdysone in the medium. The observations suggest that the sterol is an intermediate in the synthesis of agr-ecdysone.

Submitted on June 13, 1977

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)