Biosynthesis of cholesterol

Synthesis within the body starts with the mevalonate pathway where two molecules of acetyl CoA condense to form acetoacetyl-CoA. This is followed by a second condensation between acetyl CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to form 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA). This molecule is then reduced to mevalonate by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Production of mevalonate is the rate-limiting and irreversible step in cholesterol synthesis and is the site of action for statins.

spinqualitylabelsall models Crystal Structure of HMG-CoA, (PDB code 1dq8) Show:Asymmetric Unit Biological Assembly Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate   Export Animated Image