Oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase (OSLC) catalyzes the cyclization of (3S)-2,3-oxidosqualene into lanosterol, which is the key step in the biosynthesis of sterols in animals and fungi.1 Lanosterol is converted to ergosterol in yeast and fungi and to cholesterol in mammals by the enzyme lanosterol synthase. Although the main substrate for phytosterols is cycloartenol there is evidence that lanosterol acts as a minor precursor for these sterols.2 In patients with Parkinson’s disease lanosterol acts as a neuroprotective agent in dopaminergic neurons by inducing mild uncoupling of mitochondria and promoting autophagy.3 Lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ergosterol from lanosterol in fungi and yeast, making it an important target for antifungal drugs.4
