Page 252 - BIOCHEMISTRY II

Statins and HMG-coenzyme A reductase

Statins are lipid-lowering drugs, also known as HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitors. People with dangerously high LDL cholesterol
concentrations take these drugs

Function:
Inhibits enzyme HMG-Coenzyme A reductase

HMG-coenzyme A reductase
-Integral protein of endoplasmic reticulum membranes that
catalyzes the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis
(Mevalonate pathway), binds HMG-CoA.
-Statins structurally similar to HMG-CoA and can compete
for its active site.
-Decreases the ability of the liver to produce its own
cholesterol which stimulates production of LDL receptors
which then engulfs more LDL cholesterol = less released
into blood.