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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Mevalonate

Mevalonate is the product of HMG-CoA reductase: a six-carbon compound that commits carbon to cholesterol and isoprenoids.

Updated 2026-11-01

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## Key facts

- It is (R)-mevalonic acid, six carbons; in the body it is ionised as mevalonate.
- It is made in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis, the one statins block.
- Three phosphorylations (3 ATP) and one decarboxylation turn it into isopentenyl pyrophosphate (C5).

**Also called**
Mevalonic acid

**Formula**
C₆H₁₂O₄

**PubChem**
[CID 439230](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/439230)

## Structure

- A carboxylic acid with two OH groups (C3 and C5) and a methyl on C3; it can close into a lactone (mevalonolactone).
- Only the R enantiomer is active in the pathway.

## Clinical notes

- In mevalonate kinase deficiency mevalonate builds up and spills into the urine (mevalonic aciduria).
- Its non-sterol products (dolichol, ubiquinone, prenyl groups) explain statin effects beyond cholesterol.

## Pathways

- [Cholesterol synthesis (mevalonate pathway)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/cholesterol-synthesis/)

## Related

- [HMG-CoA reductase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/hmg-coa-reductase/)
- [Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/isopentenyl-pyrophosphate/)
- [Cholesterol](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/cholesterol/)
- [Acetyl-CoA](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/acetyl-coa/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which enzyme makes mevalonate?

HMG-CoA reductase, from HMG-CoA and 2 NADPH.

## How much ATP is spent going from mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate?

Three ATP: two phosphorylations and a decarboxylation that also uses ATP.

## What builds up in the urine in mevalonic aciduria?

Mevalonic acid, because mevalonate kinase is missing.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [(R)-(-)-Mevalonic acid (CID 439230)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/439230) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [Cholesterol biosynthesis (R-HSA-191273)](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-191273) (Reactome, 2026).

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