HMG-CoA
HMG-CoA
HMG-CoA (pronounced as H-M-G Co-A), also known as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA, is a key molecule in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and ketone bodies.
Pronunciation
HMG-CoA is pronounced as "H-M-G Co-A".
Etymology
The term HMG-CoA is an abbreviation for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA. The name is derived from its structure, as it contains a hydroxy (OH) group, a methyl (CH3) group, and a glutaryl group (a five-carbon dicarboxylic acid), all attached to a coenzyme A (CoA) molecule.
Function
HMG-CoA is an intermediate compound in the mevalonate pathway, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol, a vital component of cell membranes, and other important biomolecules. It is also involved in the production of ketone bodies, which serve as an alternative energy source for the brain and heart during periods of fasting or intense exercise.
Related Terms
- Mevalonate pathway: The metabolic pathway that produces cholesterol and other important biomolecules.
- Cholesterol: A waxy, fat-like substance that's found in all the cells in your body.
- Ketone bodies: Three related compounds that are produced as by-products when fatty acids are broken down for energy in the liver.
- Coenzyme A: A coenzyme, notable for its role in the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids, and the oxidation of pyruvate in the citric acid cycle.
See Also
- HMG-CoA reductase: The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a critical reaction in the mevalonate pathway.
- Statins: A class of drugs often prescribed by doctors to help lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on HMG-CoA
- Wikipedia's article - HMG-CoA
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