Sterol requirement of Mycoplasma capricolum.

Abstract

Mycoplasmas require an external source of sterol for growth. For M. capricolum this requirement is met not only by cholesterol but also by the methylcholestane derivatives lanosterol, cycloartenol, 4,4-dimethylcholesterol and 4.beta.-methylcholestanol. Cholesteryl methyl ether and 3.alpha.-methylcholestanol serve equally well as sterol supplements. None of the growth-supporting sterol derivatives tested was metabolically modified. The unusual acceptance of diverse cholestane derivatives by a Mycoplasma sp. contrasts with the structural attributes thought to be necessary for sterol function in eukaryotic membranes.