Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Application

Cholesterol oxidase has been used in a study to demonstrate that microheterogeneity in hydrophobic-hydrophilic block copolymer systems can be exploited for immobilizing enzymes and to carry out enzymatic reactions. Cholesterol oxidase has also been used in a study that concluded that amphipaths that activate cholesterol might be useful in treating NPC disease.

Cholesterol oxidase is used to determine serum cholesterol. The enzyme also finds application in the microanalysis of steroids in food samples and in distinguishing 3-ketosteroids from 3β-hydroxysteroids. Transgenic plants expressing cholesterol oxidase are being investigated in the fight against the cotton boll weevil. CHOD has also been used as a molecular probe to elucidate cellular membrane structures.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Cholesterol oxidase (CHOD) is a monomeric flavoprotein containing FAD that catalyzes the first step in cholesterol catabolism. This bifunctional enzyme oxidizes cholesterol to cholest-5-en-3-one in an FAD-requiring step, which is then isomerized to cholest-4-en-3-one with the release of H₂O₂.

Packaging

100, 500 units in glass bottle

Physical form

Supplied as a lyophilzed powder containing sucrose

Physical properties

Type II cholesterol oxidase containing FAD cofactor covalently linked to the enzyme.

Unit Definition

One unit will convert 1.0 µmole of cholesterol to 4-cholesten-3-one per min at pH 7.5 at 25 °C. Note: 4-cholesten-3-one may undergo isomerization.