Ergostane is a tetracyclictriterpene, also known as 24S-methylcholestane. The compound itself has no known uses;[citation needed] however various functionalized analogues are produced by plants and animals. The most important of these are the heavily derivatised withanolides.[1][2] However simpler forms do exist, such as the steranecampestane (24R-methylcholestane). Along with cholestane and stigmastane, this sterane is used as a biomarker for early eukaryotes.[3]
^Kirson, Isaac; Glotter, Erwin (1981). "Recent Developments in Naturally Occurring Ergostane-Type Steroids. A Review". Journal of Natural Products. 44 (6): 633–647. doi:10.1021/np50018a001. ISSN0163-3864.
^Brocks, Jochen J.; Jarrett, Amber J. M.; Sirantoine, Eva; Hallmann, Christian; Hoshino, Yosuke; Liyanage, Tharika (2017). "The rise of algae in Cryogenian oceans and the emergence of animals". Nature. 548 (7669): 578–581. Bibcode:2017Natur.548..578B. doi:10.1038/nature23457. PMID28813409. S2CID205258987.