Squalene synthase (SQS) or farnesyl-diphosphate:farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyl transferase is an enzyme localized to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. SQS participates in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, catalyzing a two-step reaction in which two identical molecules of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) are converted into squalene, with the consumption of NADPH.[2]Catalysis by SQS is the first committed step in sterol synthesis, since the squalene produced is converted exclusively into various sterols, such as cholesterol, via a complex, multi-step pathway. SQS belongs to squalene/phytoene synthase family of proteins.
^Ichikawa M, Yokomizo A, Itoh M, Sugita K, Usui H, Shimizu H, Suzuki M, Terayama K, Kanda A (March 2011). "Discovery of a new 2-aminobenzhydrol template for highly potent squalene synthase inhibitors". Bioorg. Med. Chem. 19 (6): 1930–49. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2011.01.065. PMID21353782.
^Tansey TR, Shechter I (December 2000). "Structure and regulation of mammalian squalene synthase". Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1529 (1–3): 49–62. doi:10.1016/S1388-1981(00)00137-2. PMID11111077.
