Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase, mitochondrial; This enzyme condenses acetyl-CoA with acetoacetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA, which is the substrate for HMG-CoA reductase.

Mevalonate kinase; Catalyzes the phosphorylation of mevalonate to mevalonate 5- phosphate, a key step in isoprenoid and cholesterol biosynthesis. Belongs to the GHMP kinase family. Mevalonate kinase subfamily.

Squalene monooxygenase; Catalyzes the stereospecific oxidation of squalene to (S)- 2,3-epoxysqualene, and is considered to be a rate-limiting enzyme in steroid biosynthesis.

Insulin-induced gene 1 protein; Mediates feedback control of cholesterol synthesis by controlling SCAP and HMGCR. Functions by blocking the processing of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). Capable of retaining the SCAP-SREBF2 complex in the ER thus preventing it from escorting SREBPs to the Golgi. Initiates the sterol-mediated ubiquitin- mediated endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) of HMGCR via recruitment of the reductase to the ubiquitin ligase, AMFR/gp78. May play a role in growth and differentiation of tissues involved in metabolic control. May pla [...]

Lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase; A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in sterol biosynthesis. Catalyzes 14-alpha demethylation of lanosterol and 24,25- dihydrolanosterol likely through sequential oxidative conversion of 14- alpha methyl group to hydroxymethyl, then to carboxylaldehyde, followed by the formation of the delta 14,15 double bond in the sterol core and concomitant release of formic acid. Mechanistically, uses molecular oxygen inserting one oxygen atom into a substrate, and reducing the second into a water molecule, with two electrons provided by NADPH via cytochrome P45 [...]

Processed sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2; Transcriptional activator required for lipid homeostasis. Regulates transcription of the LDL receptor gene as well as the cholesterol and to a lesser degree the fatty acid synthesis pathway. Binds the sterol regulatory element 1 (SRE-1) (5'-ATCACCCCAC-3') found in the flanking region of the LDRL and HMG-CoA synthase genes.

Squalene synthase; Critical branch point enzyme of isoprenoid biosynthesis that is thought to regulate the flux of isoprene intermediates through the sterol pathway; Belongs to the phytoene/squalene synthase family.

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha-1; Catalytic subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an energy sensor protein kinase that plays a key role in regulating cellular energy metabolism. In response to reduction of intracellular ATP levels, AMPK activates energy-producing pathways and inhibits energy-consuming processes: inhibits protein, carbohydrate and lipid biosynthesis, as well as cell growth and proliferation. AMPK acts via direct phosphorylation of metabolic enzymes, and by longer-term effects via phosphorylation of transcription regulators. Also acts a [...]