[The key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis pathway: HMG-CoA reductase and disease]

In eukaryotes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is a key enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of a precusor of cholesterol as well as non-sterol isoprenoids, mevalonate. The regulation of the enzyme activity occurs at the transcription, post-transcription, translation and protein degradation levels. Cholesterol contributes to the generation and development of atherosclerosis while non-sterol isoprenoids play a role in regulation of cell proliferation, signal transduction and generation of cancers. At present, the enzyme is the target of several drugs effective against atherosclerosis.