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Isoprenoid Biosynthesis Pathway 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acetyl-CoA
  + 2 NADH 
 
 (Lovastatin)HMG-CoA Reductase
HMG-CoA
 
Mevalonate
Kinase
 
- 2 CO2 
Mevalonate
 + 2 ATP  
Isopentenyl pyrophosphate
 
Geranyl pyrophosphate
 
Farnesyl Pyrophosphate
 
 
 
 
 
 
Squalene
 
 Isoprenylated  
Proteins
Squalene Epoxidase
 
Squalene-2,3-Epoxide
 
 Oxidosqualene Cyclase
 
Lanosterol
 
 
  
 
 
 D7                                     D5,7,24
 
 
(BM15.766)
AY994 
 
 
7-Dehydrocholesterol
(D5)
Desmosterol
(D5,24)
 
 D7  -Reductase
                       (U18666A)
   D24
 
Cholesterol
(D5)
 
 liverendocrine
 
 Bile Acids** 
 
move molecule: left mouse
 change display: right mouse
* - from Steven Fliesler Ph.D & R. Kennedy Keller: 
"Isoprenoid Metabolism in the Vertebrate Retina" 
nt. J. Bichem. Cell Biol. Vol 29, No. 6, pp 877-894, 1997
** - anexcellent discussion of cholesterol synthesis
 
t - Heme molecule pictured.
 
 
references
Pathway Animation: 
L. Van Warren 
Warren Design Vision  10/97 

Intermediate Step Explanation: 

Michael W. King, Ph.D  
Medical Biochemistry 
Terre Haute Center for Medical Education