DHCR24 in cholesterol metabolism and diseases of the nervous system

DHCR24 (3β-hydroxysterol 24-reductase) is a critical enzyme that plays an essential role in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, which catalyzes the reduction of the sterol intermediate C-24 double bond. DHCR24 is also involved in cell growth, senescence, and cellular responses to carcinogenesis and oxidative stress. DHCR24 is extensively studied, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. It is thought to have neuroprotective effects such as resistance to amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) toxicity and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, there is a notable absence of systematic reviews integrating these two domains. Meanwhile, disordered lipid metabolism has been increasingly recognized in recent years as a critical contributor to the pathogenesis and progression of ischemic stroke and other neurological disorders, and DHCR24, as a key mediator in this process, has become an indispensable research target. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively summarize the role of DHCR24, from its central function in cholesterol biosynthesis to its implications in neurological disorders.