Why is HMG-CoA reductase a good target in the cholesterol pathway?

First and most important is that endogenous stimulation of HCR is the primary way the cell regulates increased production of cholesterol-thus making it the best target for inhibiting the endogenous pathway- Second, because it is early in the pathway, you limit the number of intermediary molecules that will build up when the pathway is inhibited-That gives you three, with your *rate-limiting step* But, we'll try another

Medically, the statins, which inhibit HCR also act as anti-inflammatory drugs-in fact showing some efficacy in current trials on MS and even Alzheimer's.