Cholesterol sulfate, or cholest-5-en-3β-ol sulfate, is an

endogenous Endogenous substances and processes are those that originate from within a living system such as an organism, tissue, or cell. In contrast, exogenous substances and processes are those that originate from outside of an organism. For example, ...

steroid A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and ...

and the C3β

sulfate The sulfate or sulphate ion is a polyatomic ion, polyatomic anion with the empirical formula . Salts, acid derivatives, and peroxides of sulfate are widely used in industry. Sulfates occur widely in everyday life. Sulfates are salt (chemistry), ...

ester In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ...

cholesterol Cholesterol is any of a class of certain organic molecules called lipids. It is a sterol (or modified steroid), a type of lipid. Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells and is an essential structural component of animal cell membr ...

. It is formed from cholesterol by

steroid sulfotransferase In enzymology, a steroid sulfotransferase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction :3'-phosphoadenylyl sulfate + a phenolic steroid \rightleftharpoons adenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate + steroid O-sulfate Thus, the two substrates of this ...

s (SSTs) such as

SULT2B1b Sulfotransferase family cytosolic 2B member 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''SULT2B1'' gene. Sulfotransferase enzymes catalyze the sulfate conjugation of many hormones, neurotransmitters, drugs, and xenobiotic chemical compounds. ...

(also known as cholesterol sulfotransferase) and is converted back into cholesterol by

steroid sulfatase Steroid sulfatase (STS), or steryl-sulfatase (EC 3.1.6.2), formerly known as arylsulfatase C, is a sulfatase enzyme involved in the metabolism of steroids. It is encoded by the ''STS'' gene. Reactions This enzyme catalyses the following chemi ...

(STS). Accumulation of cholesterol sulfate in the

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other cuticle, animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have diffe ...

is implicated in the

pathophysiology Pathophysiology ( physiopathology) – a convergence of pathology with physiology – is the study of the disordered physiological processes that cause, result from, or are otherwise associated with a disease or injury. Pathology is t ...

of X-linked ichthyosis, a

congenital disorder A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities c ...

in which STS is non-functional and the body cannot convert cholesterol sulfate back into cholesterol.

References

Cholestanes Steroid esters Sulfate esters {{steroid-stub

See also

References