Cholesterol is found in every cell, playing a major role in maintaining cell membrane flexibility, and in the production of precursors of bile acid and steroid hormones
- 70-80 % of the cholesterol is present in esterificated form
- poorly soluble in water (hydrophobic)
Mevalonate pathway
The synthesis of cholesterol is also known as the mevalonate pathway due to the synthesizing mevalonate molecule (Figure 1).