Biosynthesis and its inhibition by statins
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as the group of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins The statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease, inhibit the synthesis of mevalonate. Mevalonate is a precursor to isopentenyl pyrophosphate Isopentenyl pyrophosphate is an intermediate in the classical, HMG-CoA reductase pathway used by organisms in the biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids. IPP is formed from acetyl-CoA via mevalonic acid. IPP can then be isomerized to dimethylallyl pyrophosphate by the enzyme isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase, which combines with its isomer, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate Dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) is an intermediate product of both mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway and DOXP/MEP pathway. It is an isomer of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and exists in virtually all life forms, in repeating alternations to form isoprene (or polyprenyl) chains.
Statins The statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease are used to lower cholesterol Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy steroid found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition, cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the biosynthesis of bile acids,, which is synthesized from the 15-carbon isoprenoid, farnesyl pyrophosphate Farnesyl pyrophosphate is an intermediate in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway used by organisms in the biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids, but also inhibit all other isoprenes, including coenzyme Q10. This flow chartshows the biosynthesis of isoprenes, and the point at which statins act to inhibit this process.
<<Table of Contents Isoprene or 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene is a common organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2. It is present under standard conditions as a colorless liquid. It is the monomer of natural rubber and is a precursor to an immense variety of other naturally occurring compounds | Next>> | Show All>>
