Cholesterol

Cholesterol is an important molecule that has many uses like giving stability to cell membranes,

production of hormones and Vit D. Cholesterol can be synthesized in our bodies, there are many

enzymes needed in this pathway and many intermediaries, mevalonate, isoprenoids, squalene and

lanosterol have a major importance between others. To make mevalonate molecules of Acetyl

CoA must condensate, ACAT is the first enzyme, HMG synthase is the second and HMG

reductase is the last one, this enzyme is extremely important to the entire pathway, statins are

some drugs used to inhibit it. Isoprenoids are formed from mevalonate that goes through some

phosphorylation and then the formed units condensate to from larger ones, prenylation of proteins

are obtained from these intermediaries. Squalene and Lanosterol are other intermediaries of the

pathway. There is a balance between absorption and synthesis where some factors can affect each

other, exercise decreases bad Cholesterol and Cardiovascular disease by its protectives effects.
References

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