# PCSK9 (gene and protein)

Biological target · id `cardio:pcsk9` · Cardiovascular Atlas · release `f6f6f1b6f50379ed` (public)

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Also called: PCSK9; Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

Browse, organ or system: Metabolism  
Browse, condition area: Coronary and vascular disease  

## In plain language

PCSK9 is a gene, and the protein it makes, that helps control how much cholesterol stays in the blood. The PCSK9 protein breaks down the receptors that pull LDL out of the blood, so blocking it lets the liver clear more LDL. The PCSK9 antibodies and inclisiran in this atlas work on it.

## Technical summary

MedlinePlus Genetics describes the PCSK9 gene and its protein. The antibodies evolocumab and alirocumab bind the protein, and inclisiran breaks down the messenger RNA for PCSK9, as the US drug labels say, so the target here covers the gene, its RNA and its protein.

## Connected pages

- Controls how much LDL cholesterol stays in the blood: High LDL cholesterol (`cardio:high-ldl-cholesterol`)
- Related to: MedlinePlus (`core:medlineplus`)
- Targeted by: Alirocumab (`cardio:alirocumab`)
- Targeted by: Evolocumab (`cardio:evolocumab`)
- Targeted by: Inclisiran (`cardio:inclisiran`)

## Provenance

Content hash: ff18d361adc03f1cc161bae9188d504ac23bb4629379b3f4c37d49cf437a654e
Last substantive edit: 2026-10-15
Evidence last checked: 2026-10-14