Final answer:
HMG-CoA reductase is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to Mevalonate and is the target for statins, which are drugs designed to reduce cholesterol synthesis in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to Mevalonate is HMG-CoA reductase, which is a crucial target for the class of drugs known as statins. The production of cholesterol in the body involves several steps, starting with the combination of two molecules of acetyl-CoA to eventually form HMG-CoA. HMG-CoA reductase then catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to Mevalonate, which is the rate-limiting step in this biosynthetic pathway.
Statins function by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, thus leading to reduced cholesterol synthesis. This is instrumental in managing high cholesterol levels and associated disorders such as cardiovascular disease. The development of statins involved identifying HMG-CoA reductase as the target molecule and creating a drug capable of inhibiting its action, leading to subsequent in vitro and clinical trials before gaining FDA approval.