Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids01:28

Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Protein Import into the Peroxisomes01:27

Protein Import into the Peroxisomes

Cells contain membrane-bound organelles called peroxisomes that oxidize organic molecules by transferring hydrogen atoms to oxygen, producing hydrogen peroxide. Peroxisomes enzymatically convert the released hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
Peroxisomal Protein Import:
Peroxisomes lack the genetic machinery required to code for their own proteins. Hence, most peroxisomal membrane, lumenal and transmembrane proteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm or ER and transported to the peroxisome...
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways01:29

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which provide...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

To Cool or Not to Cool in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:? A Call for Resources, Training and Shared Knowledge.

The Journal of pediatrics·2026
Same author

Melatonin Partially Attenuates Oxycodone-Induced Placental Stress Signaling and Fetal Brain Apoptosis in a Sex-Specific Manner.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

The double-edged prescription: Maternal medications and fetal brain vulnerability.

European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2026
Same author

Sterol pathway disruption in pregnancy: a link to autism.

Molecular psychiatry·2026
Same author

Author Correction: 7-Dehydrocholesterol is an endogenous suppressor of ferroptosis.

Nature·2026
Same author

Sex-Specific Metabolic Footprint of Ketogenic Diet in C57BL/6J Mice.

Biomedicines·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases
09:58

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Published on: March 18, 2022

Sterol biosynthesis, brain development, and disease.

Eric S Peeples1,2,3, Zeljka Korade1,2, Karoly Mirnics1,2,4

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|July 15, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Disrupting cholesterol synthesis during brain development can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal exposure to medications inhibiting this pathway poses risks, necessitating safety assessments.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Proteomics Workflow using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Based Detection of Proteins from Human Brain Tissue
11:49

Quantitative Proteomics Workflow using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Based Detection of Proteins from Human Brain Tissue

Published on: August 28, 2021

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
11:44

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B

Published on: January 19, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases
09:58

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Published on: March 18, 2022

Quantitative Proteomics Workflow using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Based Detection of Proteins from Human Brain Tissue
11:49

Quantitative Proteomics Workflow using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Based Detection of Proteins from Human Brain Tissue

Published on: August 28, 2021

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
11:44

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B

Published on: January 19, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cholesterol biosynthesis is vital for central nervous system (CNS) development, supporting critical processes like myelination and synaptogenesis.
  • Genetic defects in cholesterol synthesis enzymes cause severe neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.
  • Many common medications, including statins, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, can unintentionally inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biochemical, genetic, and epidemiological evidence linking dysregulated cholesterol synthesis during development to neurodevelopmental pathologies.
  • To highlight the dual risks of cholesterol depletion and toxic oxysterol accumulation from sterol biosynthesis inhibitors.
  • To advocate for the assessment of sterol pathway safety in drug development and prenatal pharmacotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing biochemical, genetic, and epidemiological data.
  • Analysis of the pathophysiological consequences of inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.
  • Synthesis of evidence implicating developmental sterol dysregulation as a risk factor.

Main Results:

  • Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis leads to both cholesterol depletion and the accumulation of toxic precursors like 7-dehydrocholesterol.
  • Prenatal exposure to sterol biosynthesis-inhibiting drugs may have significant adverse effects on neurodevelopment.
  • Developmental sterol dysregulation is identified as a modifiable risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Dysregulation of cholesterol synthesis during critical developmental periods is a significant risk factor for neurodevelopmental pathology.
  • There is an urgent need to evaluate the safety of medications affecting the sterol pathway during pregnancy.
  • Routine safety assessments of sterol pathway interactions are crucial for drug development and prenatal pharmacotherapy.