Statins are used to decrease cholesterol amounts in the body. What enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway do these drugs inhibit?

Question

Explain what enzyme is affected in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

Answer 1

HMG-CoA reductase is the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. Statins are competetive inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, and thus inhibit the production of cholesterol, thereby lowering the blood cholesterol level.