cyclopentaanperhydrofenanthreenskelet

The cyclopentaanperhydrofenanthreenskelet, often referred to as the sterane skeleton or gonane, is a fundamental structural unit found in a large class of organic compounds known as steroids. This tetracyclic structure consists of four fused rings: three cyclohexane rings (labeled A, B, and C) and one cyclopentane ring (labeled D). The rings are saturated, meaning they contain only single bonds and are fully hydrogenated, hence the "perhydro" prefix. The "cyclopenta" part indicates the presence of the cyclopentane ring, and "fenantreen" refers to the three fused six-membered rings, which resemble the basic structure of phenanthrene, though fully saturated in this case.

This core skeleton is the basis for a vast array of biologically important molecules. By varying the substituents attached to this framework, different steroids are formed with diverse physiological functions. Examples include cholesterol, bile acids, and steroid hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. These compounds play crucial roles in metabolism, growth, reproduction, and stress response in animals. The specific arrangement and stereochemistry of the fused rings and any attached functional groups are critical to the biological activity of each steroid molecule. The cyclopentaanperhydrofenanthreenskelet's rigid, three-dimensional structure influences how these molecules interact with biological targets like enzymes and receptors.