The enzyme 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) Reductase plays a key role in regulating cholesterol biosynthesis. It produces mevalonate, which is required for the synthesis of cholesterol and other isoprenoids, such as ubiquinone, dolichol, and isopentenyl tRNA. A complete understanding of the mechanisms regulating synthesis of this enzyme is crucial, especially view of the fact that serum cholesterol is one of the strongest risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis. HMG-CoA reductase is subject to negative feedback regulation, and this regulation is mediated by metabolic intermediates in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. A complete suppression of HMG-CoA reductase synthesis in mammalian cells requires both a sterol (or an oxysterol), as well as a non- sterol, mevalonate derived intermediate. HMG-CoA reductase is a highly regulated enzyme, and it is well established that the level of HMG-CoA reductase activity is regulated through changes in the level of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA as well as through sterol mediated degradation of membrane bound enzyme. Of equal importance are studies which have established that levels of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme activity are also regulated at the level of translation, or the rate of protein synthesis from the HMG-CoA reductase mRNA. The overall goal of this project is to determine the mechanism through which oxysterols and mevalonate regulate translation of HMG-CoA reductase from its mRNA. The hamster C100 cell line will be used for experiments in specific aims land 3. This cell line expresses high levels of both mRNA and enzyme activity for HMG-CoA reductase. There are two classes of transcripts for hamster HMG-CoA reductase known as classes I and II. They differ in the length of their 5' untranslated leader sequences, and both classes code for the same protein species. C100 cells will be treated with the drug mevinolin, a transition state inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and the effects of both an oxysterol (25-hydroxycholesterol) and mevalonate will be evaluated on the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase in these cells. Experiments in specific aim #1 will determine the correlation between changes in the relative amounts of classes I and II HMG-CoA reductase transcripts nad changes in the rate of HMG-CoA reductase synthesis. The role of 5' untranslated leader sequences in regulating translation of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA will be evaluated in specific aim 2 using a heterologous protein expression system.
In specific aim 3 the role of both classes I and II HMG-CoA reductase mRNA transcripts in the initiation of translation for HMG-CoA reductase, as well as the effects of mevinolin, 25-hydroxycholestrol, and mevalonate on this initiation process, will be evaluated. The role of either soluble cytoplasmic or ribosomally associated factors involved specifically in the regulation HMG-CoA reductase translation will be evaluated in specific aim #4.
In specific aim #5 the role of mevinolin, 25-hydroxycholesterol and mevalonate in regulating the synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase at the level of translation will be evaluated in cultured primary rat hepatocytes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL044006-04
Application #
2221248
Study Section
Metabolism Study Section (MET)
Project Start
1990-01-01
Project End
1994-12-31
Budget Start
1993-01-01
Budget End
1993-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rosalind Franklin University
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
069501252
City
North Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60064
Peffley, D M; Gayen, A K; Morand, O H (1998) Down-regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA levels and synthesis in syrian hamster C100 cells by the oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitor [4'-(6-allyl-ethyl-amino-hexyloxy)-2'-fluoro-phenyl]-(4-bromophenyl)-me thanone (Ro 48-8071): Biochem Pharmacol 56:439-49
Peffley, D M; Gayen, A K (1997) Inhibition of squalene synthase but not squalene cyclase prevents mevalonate-mediated suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase synthesis at a posttranscriptional level. Arch Biochem Biophys 337:251-60
Gayen, A K; Peffley, D M (1995) The length of 5'-untranslated leader sequences influences distribution of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase mRNA in polysomes: effects of lovastatin, oxysterols, and mevalonate. Arch Biochem Biophys 322:475-85
Peffley, D M; Gayen, A K (1995) Mevalonate regulates polysome distribution and blocks translation-dependent suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA: relationship to translational control. Somat Cell Mol Genet 21:189-204
Choi, J W; Peffley, D M (1995) 3'-untranslated sequences mediate post-transcriptional regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase mRNA by 25-hydroxycholesterol. Biochem J 307 ( Pt 1):233-8
Choi, J W; Lundquist, E N; Peffley, D M (1993) Inhibition of protein synthesis in baby-hamster kidney cells blocks oxysterol-mediated suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase mRNA at a post-transcriptional level. Biochem J 296 ( Pt 3):859-66
Peffley, D M (1992) Regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase synthesis in Syrian hamster C100 cells by mevinolin, 25-hydroxycholesterol, and mevalonate: the role of posttranscriptional control. Somat Cell Mol Genet 18:19-32