Inhibition and substrate specificity of yeast delta 22-desaturase.

Using yeast microsomes, 23-hydroxysterols were tested as intermediates in the formation of the sterol side delta 22-double bond. No evidence could be found supporting a two-stage mechanism of desaturation via hydroxylation and dehydration. Sterols with various side chains were tested as substrates. Those with alkyl substituents in the 24-alpha position were poor substrates. A series of sterols, including cyclopropyl sterols, were tested as mechanism-based inhibitors without success. Inhibition was observed with an isocyano-sterol.