Side-chain oxysterol regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity.

Side-chain oxysterols are known to be potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, a key regulatory enzyme in the biosynthesis of sterols. Structural variations in the side-chain oxysterols influence enzyme inhibition. Under certain conditions, biological systems have been induced to produce side-chain oxysterols, adding support to the hypothesis that oxysterols may be natural regulators of sterol biosynthesis in the intact cell. Specific inhibition of sterol biosynthesis is of interest as it may prove useful in the prevention or reversal of various cardiovascular disease states, as well as in the control of normal and abnormal cell growth.