Lanosterol synthase disease prevention and treatment (see Disease Relevance, below). Interest has grown in lanosterol synthase inhibitors as drugs to lower blood cholesterol and treat atherosclerosis. The widely popular statin drugs currently used to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol function by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity. Because this enzyme catalyzes the formation of precursors far upstream of (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene and cholesterol, statins may negatively influence amounts of intermediates required for other biosynthetic pathways (e.g. synthesis of isoprenoids, coenzyme Q). Thus, lanosterol synthase, which is more closely tied to cholesterol biosynthesis than HMG-CoA reductase, is an attractive drug target. Lanosterol synthase inhibitors are thought to
We Are Drugs to finish them after the band finished touring to support "Dopamine"—he would want to release. Several months later, Jenkins began discussing plans for a new EP release in mid-2016. Contrary to the band's previous few albums—"Out of the Vein" (2003), "Ursa Major" (2009), and "Dopamine" (2015), which were recorded over the course of four to six years—the band was limited to only one week in a studio in Texas in early 2016 to record "We Are Drugs". Jenkins stated that the success of "Dopamine" finally allowed him to stop obsessing over perfecting lyrics, something he had done in the past.