The effects of the hypocholesteremic compound 3 beta-(beta-dimethylaminoethoxy)-androst-5-en-17-one on the sterol and steryl ester composition of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

When yeast was grown in the presence of 10(-4) M 3 beta-(beta-dimethylaminoethoxy)-androst-5-en-17-one (DMAE-DHA), the compound 2,3;22,23-dioxidosqualene (DOS) accumulated. Total free sterol was reduced by about 30%, whereas almost no steryl esters were found. The same drug at lower concentration (3 x 10(-6) M) caused a slight increase in steryl ester production, and a 24% reduction in free sterol content. The marked accumulation of ergostra-5,7,22,24(28)-tetraen-3 beta-ol with 3 x 10(-6) M DMAE-DHA indicated that the C24-28 reductase is especially sensitive to the action of the drug.