The Homeostatic Control of Cholesterol Synthesis in Liver

Abstract

The feedback mechanism by which cholesterol synthesis is regulated in liver has been studied. Evidence has been presented which indicates that exogenous cholesterol inhibits cholesterol synthesis primarily by blocking the conversion of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl CoA to mevalonic acid. This reaction would appear to represent the major biochemical site of normal homeostatic control of cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This inhibition of cholesterol synthesis does not appear to be directly mediated by cholesterol itself, the common cholesterol esters, or taurocholic acid. The exact mechanism by which cholesterol feeding inhibits the conversion of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl CoA to mevalonate remains to be elucidated.