What is "mevalonic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) The hydroxy acid ''3,5-dihydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid'' that is a biochemical precursor of the terpenoids

Mevalonic acid (MVA) is a key organic compound in biochemistry. The name is a contraction of dihydroxymethylvalerolactone. The carboxylate anion of mevalonic acid, which is the predominant form in biological environments is known as mevalonate, and is of major pharmaceutical importance. Drugs such as the statins (which lower levels of cholesterol) stop the production of mevalonate by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.