Cholesterol Biosynthesis: A Mechanistic Overview

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Nuno M F S A Cerqueira (Author) FCUP; Oliveira, EF (Author) Other; Gesto, DS (Author) Other; Santos Martins, D (Author) Other; Cristina Freire (Author) FCUP; Moorthy, HN (Author) Other; Ramos, MJ (Author) FCUP; Pedro A Fernandes (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Biochemistry

Vol. 55

Pages: 5483-5506

ISSN: 0006-2960

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 178 Citations

Scopus - 192 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-4S7

DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00342

Abstract (EN): Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes and the precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones and-bile acids. The synthesis of this molecule-occurs partially in a membranous world (especially the last steps), where the enzymes, substrates, and products involved tend to be extremely hydrophobic. The importance of cholesterol has increased in the past half-century because of its association with cardiovascular-diseases, which are considered one,of the leading causes of death worldwide. In light of the current need for new drugs capable of controlling the levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream, it is important to understand how cholesterol is synthesized in the organism. and identify the main enzymes involved in this process. Taking this into account, this review presents a detailed description of several enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. In this regard; the structure and catalytic mechanism of the enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, from the initial two-carbon acetyl-CoA building block, wilt be reviewed and their current pharmacological importance discussed. We believe that this review may contribute to a deeper level of understanding of cholesterol metabolism and that it will serve as a useful resource for future studies of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 24