Sterol composition of bovine retinal rod outer segment membranes and whole retinas

The sterol composition of bovine retinal rod outer segment membranes and whole retinas was studied by detailed chromatographic analyses. Cholesterol represented at least 98% of the total 3 beta-monohydroxy sterols of rod outer segment membranes, accounting for 1.68 +/- 0.15% of the dry weight. Whole retinas contained 1.76 +/- 0.29% cholesterol by dry weight, representing at least 99% of the total 3 beta-monohydroxy sterols. Trace amounts of a component having the chromatographic properties of 5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol were found in rod outer segment membranes and whole retinas. Very small amounts of a component having the chromatographic properties of 5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol were found in whole retinas, but not in rod outer segment membranes. The molar ratio of cholesterol to rhodopsin in bovine rod outer segment membranes was approximately 4.7. Cholesterol accounted for only 5-7 mol% of total rod outer segment membrane lipids.