Cholesterol

Biological Activity

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 (T_m), Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity and increases bilayer thickness; when combined with high T_m lipids, it increases membrane fluidity and narrows the bilayer thickness.

For more information on how to prepare MC3 lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery, please see our protocol.

Technical Data

The technical data provided above is for guidance only. For batch specific data refer to the Certificate of Analysis.
Tocris products are intended for laboratory research use only, unless stated otherwise.

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