Mevalonic acid

Mevalonic acid
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(3R)-3,5-Dihydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H12O4/c1-6(10,2-3-7)4-5(8)9/h7,10H,2-4H2,1H3,(H,8,9)/t6-/m1/s1 ☒N
    Key: KJTLQQUUPVSXIM-ZCFIWIBFSA-N ☒N
  • InChI=1/C6H12O4/c1-6(10,2-3-7)4-5(8)9/h7,10H,2-4H2,1H3,(H,8,9)/t6-/m1/s1
    Key: KJTLQQUUPVSXIM-ZCFIWIBFBE
  • C[C@@](O)(CCO)CC(=O)O
Properties
C6H12O4
Molar mass 148.158 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Mevalonic acid (MVA) is a key organic compound in biochemistry; the name is a contraction of dihydroxymethylvalerolactone. The carboxylate anion of mevalonic acid, which is the predominant form in biological environments, is known as mevalonate and is of major pharmaceutical importance. Drugs like statins (which lower levels of cholesterol) stop the production of mevalonate by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.[1]

  1. ^ Endo, A. (1992). "The discovery and development of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors". Journal of Lipid Research. 33 (11): 1569–1582. PMID 1464741.