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Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol
Published on: March 25, 2020
Structural enzymology of cholesterol biosynthesis and storage
Tao Long1, Erik W Debler2, Xiaochun Li3
1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
Abstract:
Cholesterol biosynthesis occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Its lego-like construction from water-soluble small metabolites via intermediates of increasing complexity to water-insoluble cholesterol requires numerous distinct enzymes. Dysfunction of the involved enzymes can cause several human inborn defects and diseases. Here, we review recent structures of three key cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes: Squalene epoxidase (SQLE), NAD(P)-dependent steroid dehydrogenase-like (NSDHL), and 3β-hydroxysteroid Δ8-Δ7 isomerase termed EBP. Moreover, we discuss structures of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) enzymes, which are responsible for forming cholesteryl esters from cholesterol to maintain cholesterol homeostasis in the ER. The structures of these enzymes reveal their catalytic mechanism and provide a molecular basis to develop drugs for treating diseases linked to their dysregulation.
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