Human Gene Set: KEGG_PRIMARY_BILE_ACID_BIOSYNTHESIS
Standard name
KEGG_PRIMARY_BILE_ACID_BIOSYNTHESIS
Systematic name
M3214
Brief description
Primary bile acid biosynthesis
Full description or abstract
Bile acids are steroid carboxylic acids derived from cholesterol in vertebrates. The primary bile acids, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, are synthesized in the liver and conjugated with taurine or glycine before secretion via bile into the intestine. The conversion from cholesterol to cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids involves four steps: 1) the initiation of synthesis by 7alpha-hydroxylation of sterol precursors, 2) further modifications to the ring structures, 3) side-chain oxidation and shortening (cleavage) by three carbons, and 4) conjugation of the bile acid with taurine or glycine.