Secosteroid
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A secosteroid is a molecule similar to a steroid but with a "broken" ring. Etym: L. "SEC-... 'to cut'"[1] - "STERE-, 'solid,' 'three dimensional,'[2] - OID "from Gk. -OEIDES, EIDOS 'form.'"[3]
Secosteroids are very similar in structure to steroids except that two of the B-ring carbon atoms (C9 and 10) of the typical four steroid rings are not joined, whereas in steroids they are.
In humans, the most important secosteroid is Vitamin D.
References
External links
- Secosteroids at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
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