3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Biosynthesis of mevalonate from HMG CoA.

The biochemical 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA (HMG CoA), is a chemical precursor of mevalonate, which is a key metabolite in the synthesis of cholesterol. The cholesterol-lowering statins, such as Lipitor and Crestor, among others, are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors which block the synthesis of mevalonate from HMG CoA.