page_title: Squalene monooxygenase
hierarchical_section_title: Squalene monooxygenase
caption_attribution_description: English: Reaction of squalene to squalene oxide (promoted by squalene monooxygenase)
context_page_description: Squalene monooxygenase is an enzyme that uses NADPH and molecular oxygen to oxidize squalene to 2,3-oxidosqualene. Squalene epoxidase catalyzes the first oxygenation step in sterol biosynthesis and is thought to be one of the rate-limiting enzymes in this pathway. In humans, squalene epoxidase is encoded by the SQLE gene.
  Several eukaryote genomes lack a squalene monooxygenase encoding gene, but instead encode an alternative squalene epoxidase that catalyzes the oxidation of squalene.
context_section_description: Squalene monooxygenase (also called squalene epoxidase) is an enzyme that uses NADPH and molecular oxygen to oxidize squalene to 2,3-oxidosqualene (squalene epoxide).  Squalene epoxidase catalyzes the first oxygenation step in sterol biosynthesis and is thought to be one of the rate-limiting enzymes in this pathway.  In humans, squalene epoxidase is encoded by the SQLE gene.
  Several eukaryote genomes lack a squalene monooxygenase encoding gene, but instead encode an alternative squalene epoxidase that catalyzes the oxidation of squalene.
caption: Chemical reaction catalyzed by squalene epoxidase.
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