Larger Image Figure 3. Structural formulae and 3D models of the sterols used in the present study. (A) Cholesterol (B) 5α-Cholest-7-en-3β-ol (Δ7-sterol). Green: carbon atoms; grey: hydrogen; red: oxygen. The 3D conformations of the two sterols were very different. The Δ7 double bond caused a bend in the molecule generating a “L” shaped sterol. The Δ7 sterol is therefore shorter and wider compared to the Δ5 cholesterol that is relatively elongated. When the interfacial area is calculated, this structural difference is clearly highlighted (51 à for cholesterol and 78 à for Δ7). Image published in: Claereboudt EJS et al. (2018) Image downloaded from an Open Access article in PubMed Central. © The Author(s) 2018 Permanent Image Page Printer Friendly View ECB-IMG-185020