Biosynthesis of cholesterol

Biosynthesis of cholesterol

Important intermediates of cholesterol Biosynthesis and enzymes involved.

1. Formation of acetyl CoA

A molecule of acetic acid combines with coenzyme A (CoA) to produce Acetyl CoA in the presence of an enzyme Acetyl CoA synthetase.

2. Formation of acetoacetyl CoA

Two molecules of acetyl-CoA condense to form an acetoacetyl-CoA molecule, catalyzed by the enzyme “thiolase”.

3. Formation of HMG CoA

The acetoacetyl-CoA further undergoes condensation with one more molecule of acetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA (3-Hydroxy 3-Methyl Glutaryl-CoA). The enzyme which mediates this reaction is called HMG-CoA synthetase.

4. Formation of mevalonate

The HMG-CoA is reduced to form mevalonate by NADPH + H+ dependent reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). This is the rate limiting enzyme in the pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis.

5. Mevalonate thus formed is then converted to squalene through various steps.

6. Squalene, with the formation of various intermediates finally give rise to the end product cholesterol.