HMG-CoA reductase
Statin's molecular target
HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that controls a key step in cholesterol synthesis.
It converts HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) into mevalonate, a precursor to cholesterol.
Statin drugs work by inhibiting this enzyme, lowering blood cholesterol levels.
The full name is rarely used outside biochemistry; even there, the abbreviation dominates.
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- mevalonate pathwayMetabolic route producing isoprenoids
- liverAbdominal detoxifying organ
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- inhibitorAgent that slows reactions
biosynthesis · triglycerides · plaque · arteries · prescription · cardiovascular · heart disease · blockbuster · pharma · metabolism · cells · pathway · cell membrane · LDL · bad cholesterol · HDL · blockage · synthesis
- ER biologytubules, sheets, protein folding, signal peptide, N-glycan
- Drug Targetsreceptor, enzyme, kinase, transporter, protease
- enzymeslipase, amylase, protease, kinase, enzyme
- lipid enzymeslipase, lipoprotein lipase
- Reductases5-alpha reductase
- Dehydrogenases
reduce, reducer, reduces, reduced, reducing, reducible, irreducible, reduction, reductions