How does lipitor regulate protein synthesis?

Lipitor does not regulate protein synthesis. It works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol, lowering the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

Why does Lipitor affect protein synthesis?

Lipitor is a statin that mainly targets HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme controlling the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis. The pathway this enzyme drives also produces intermediates needed for protein modification, such as prenylation of proteins like Ras and Rho. By blocking the mevalonate pathway, Lipitor can indirectly reduce prenylated proteins, which in some lab studies affects cell signaling and protein translation rates.