Identification of a cholesterol-regulated 180-kDa microsomal protein in rat hepatocytes

Coordinated expression and activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase and reductase in the fat body of Blattella germanica (L.) during vitellogenesis

Levels of mRNA for the two 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthases, (HMG-S1 and HMG-S2), and for HMG-CoA reductase (HMG-R) of Blattella germanica were analyzed in the fat body during the first gonadotrophic cycle. HMG-S2 and HMG-R showed the highest mRNA levels on day 0 and decreased thereafter, whereas HMG-S1, showed faint expression. Western blot using specific antibodies for HMG-S1 and HMG-S2 showed no detectable levels for HMG-S1 but a clear pattern for HMG-S2. Both results point to a very limited role for HMG-CoA synthase-1 in B. germanica fat body that the functional enzyme in this organ is HMG-CoA synthase-2. HMG-CoA reductase and synthase proteins shared a cyclic pattern (maximum levels at day 4 and minimum levels on days 0 and 8), which was coincident with the pattern of activity. The delay between gene transcription and protein synthesis suggests a finely regulated translation mechanism. Moreover, the pattern of mevalonate synthesis parallels that of vitellogenin production, suggesting a coordinate mechanism between the mevalonate pathway and the production of vitellogenin.

Analysis of individual CNS protein synthesis

A procedure for labeling rat CNS proteins in vivo which is useful for behavioral and pharmacological studies has been developed. Intraventricular administration of 35S-methionine through bilateral indwelling cannulae provided reproducible and highly specific radiolabeling of proteins from frontal cortex (FC), parietal cortex (PC), occipital cortex (OC), striatum (ST), septal nuclei (SN), amygdala (AM), hippocampus (HIP), thalamus (TH), brain stem (BS) and cerebellum (CB). Relative rates of synthesis of over 200 individual proteins were subsequently analyzed by 2DGE. Regional analysis demonstrated increased labeling of a protein of MW 28 kD and pI 6.4 in the hippocampus that was barely detectable in striatum of control rats. In heat-shocked animals, there was increased relative synthesis of the 74 kD Heat Shock Protein in both the septal nuclei and hippocampus.

Rapid decrease in the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase protein owing to inhibition of its rate of synthesis after Ca2+ mobilization in rat hepatocytes. Inability of taurolithocholate to mimic the effect

The mechanisms through which Ca2+ mobilization in rat hepatocytes results in the loss of total activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase [Zammit & Caldwell (1990) Biochem. J. 269, 373-379] were investigated. The loss of total activity was shown to be paralleled by an equal loss of immunoreactive HMG-CoA reductase protein after exposure of hepatocytes to optimal concentrations of vasopressin plus glucagon for 40 min. This loss of enzyme protein was due to an inhibition of enzyme synthesis; the rate of degradation was unaffected. Other Ca(2+)-mobilizing conditions (phenylephrine, glucagon, vasopressin added singly and A23187) also resulted in graded inhibition of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase. These effects were accentuated by omission of Ca2+ from the cell incubation medium, suggesting that it is the depletion of an intracellular InsP3-sensitive pool of Ca2+ to which synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase is sensitive. In agreement with this we found that t-butylhydroxybenzoquinone, which inhibits the activity of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the endoplasmic-reticular membrane, mimicked the action of Ca(2+)-mobilizing hormones. However, taurolithocholate, which transiently mobilizes Ca2+ from the same pool, was ineffective. All these effects on HMG-CoA reductase were accompanied by parallel inhibition of 35S incorporation from [35S]methionine into total protein, suggesting that inhibition of reductase synthesis formed part of a generalized response of the hepatocyte to Ca2+ mobilization. Inhibition of the rate of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase was, however, more responsive to Ca2+ mobilization in the absence of added Ca2+ from the extracellular medium. The concentrations of vasopressin required to elicit the inhibition of synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase were of the same order as those that elicited activation of glycogen phosphorylase in hepatocytes.

The nature of inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase by garlic-derived diallyl disulfide

A concentration dependent inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG CoA) reductase was found on preincubation of microsomal preparations with diallyl disulfide, a component of garlic oil. This inhibited state was only partially reversed even with high concentrations of DTT. Glutathione, a naturally occurring reducing thiol agent, was ineffective. The substrate, HMG CoA, but not NADPH, was able to give partial protection for the DTT-dependent, but not glutathione-dependent activity. The garlic-derived diallyl disulfide is the most effective among the sulfides tested for inhibition of HMG CoA reductase. Formation of protein internal disulfides, inaccessible for reduction by thiol agents, but not of protein dimer, is likely to be the cause of this inactivation.