Statins Assignment
What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is an example of a class of lipids called sterols. Sterols (also known as steroids) are compact hydrophobic molecules that contain four fused hydrocarbon ring and a number of different functional groups. Cholesterol is an important component of the plasma membranes in animal cells. It is essential for the production of sex hormones, producing bile salts, converting sunlight into vitamin D, and the up-keeping/forming of cell membranes. The leading organ responsible for producing cholesterol is the liver. Before cholesterol is released into the bloodstream the liver packs it with proteins and other compounds. This forms a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are formed so that cholesterol can be transported through the bloodstream to where it is required. The two main types of lipoproteins are high-density …show more content…
When humans ingest food, it gets broken down and the liver produces cholesterol for our bodies to use as fuel. Statins inhibit the enzyme found in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol. The name of this enzyme is hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). HMG-CoA is found in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, and catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of cholesterol; HMG-CoA into mevalonate (a cholesterol precursor). Statins are also referred to as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors by scientists. Not only do statins compete with the substrate in the enzyme active site, but they also alter the configuration of the enzyme when they bind to the active site. This inhibits HMG-CoA reductase from achieving a functional structure. The modification of the conformation of the active site makes statins not only effective, but specific. The decreased cholesterol production causes an increased amount of LDL membrane receptors, an increased clearance of LDL from the bloodstream, and a slightly increased amount of