The biology of HMG-CoA reductase: the pros of contra-regulation

Abstract

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-R) is a key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, from which thousands of molecules are derived including cholesterol and prenyl moieties. The regulation of HMG-R is complex and includes feedback control, cross-regulation by independent bio-chemical processes and contra-regulation of separate isozymes. From studies in yeast, these separate modes of regulation can be considered in an integrated fashion.