alleryStart learning →Statins reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting which enzyme?
AThe enzyme cyclooxygenase
BThe enzyme DNA polymerase
CThe enzyme HMG-CoA reductase
DThe enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The enzyme HMG-CoA reductase
1. Statins are the class of drugs that reduces cholesterol levels.
2. They are essentially inhibitors of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.
3. HMG-CoA reductase synthesizes cholesterol from lipids in the body, so inhibiting it reduces how much cholesterol is made.
4. Cyclooxygenase is the enzyme inhibited by acetaminophen, a different drug with a different target.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Metabolism", section 6.5 Enzymes_
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