R&D Systems™ Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a major sterol in all mammalian organisms; it is an essential component that makes up about 20-25% of the structural lipids of cell membranes. Cholesterol determines the permeability and fluidity characteristics of the cell membranes. Cholesterol is an endogenous ligand for estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα). It is also a precursor in several biosynthetic pathways, including steroid hormones and the active form of vitamin D. Cholesterol is a component of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and is important in modulating membrane stability, with the effect being context dependent. When combined with lipids that have low gel-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature (Tm), Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity and increases bilayer thickness; when combined with high Tm lipids, it increases membrane fluidity and narrows the bilayer thickness.