Catalyzes the first irreversible step in ketogenesis, condensing acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA, which is converted by HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) into mevalonate.
Subcellular locations: Mitochondrion
Expression in liver is 200-fold higher than in any other tissue. Low expression in colon, kidney, testis, and pancreas. Very low expression in heart and skeletal muscle ( ). Not detected in brain .
Highest expression detected in heart and skeletal muscle.