Figure 4
From: Tumour macrophages as potential targets of bisphosphonates
Schematic diagram of the mevalonate pathway for cholesterol synthesis. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) inhibit farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase, preventing synthesis of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) required for the prenylation of a number of key proteins essential for cell survival. Inhibition of FPP synthase also causes the accumulation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP), which is incorporated into the cytotoxic metabolite ApppI (triphosphoric acid 1-adenosin-5'-yl ester 3-(3-methylbut-3-enyl) ester). Statins also act through this pathway by inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase.