Diethylumbelliferyl phosphate

Diethylumbelliferyl phosphate (DEUP) is a selective cholesterol esterase inhibitor (IC50 = 11.6 μM) that disrupts intracellular cholesterol transport to mitochondria, thereby blocking steroidogenesis in vitro. Its mechanism also suggests potential for limiting dietary cholesterol absorption, making it a useful research tool for studying lipid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis.