Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mevalonic Acid”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS1S) in transgenic Arabidopsis induces a cell death/senescence-like response and reduced cytokinin levels.

To investigate the contribution of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) to the overall control of the mevalonic acid pathway in plants, we have generated transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing the Arabidopsis FPS1S isoform. Despite high levels of FPS activity in transgenic plants (8- to 12-fold as compared to wild-type plants), the content of sterols and the levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in leaves were similar to those in control plants. Plants overexpressing FPS1S showed a cell death/senescence-like phenotype and grew less vigorously than wild-type plants. The onset and the severity of these phenotypes directly correlated with the levels of FPS activity. In leaves of plants with increased FPS activity, the expression of the senescence activated gene SAG12 was prematurely induced. Transgenic plants grown in the presence of either mevalonic acid (MVA) or the cytokinin 2-isopentenyladenine (2-iP) recovered the wild-type phenotype. Quantification of endogenous cytokinins demonstrated that FPS1S overexpression specifically reduces the levels of endogenous zeatin-type cytokinins in leaves. Altogether these results support the notion that increasing FPS activity without a concomitant increase of MVA production leads to a reduction of IPP and DMAPP available for cytokinin biosynthesis. The reduced cytokinin levels would be, at least in part, responsible for the phenotypic alterations observed in the transgenic plants. The finding that wild-type and transgenic plants accumulated similar increased amounts of sterols when grown in the presence of exogenous MVA suggests that FPS1S is not limiting for sterol biosynthesis.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Effect of chemical carcinogens on cholesterol biosynthetic pathways in the skin of mice.

The metabolism of zymosterol and mevalonic acid was studied in vitro using the skin homogenates of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), diazacholesterol-treated and untreated mice. In normal mouse skin only lathosterol was a major metabolite and the other metabolites, cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol, desmosterol, cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol were much less abundant. However, in the skin homogenate of mice treated with 3MC lathosterol production was depressed, while the production of cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol and desmosterol was significantly increased, the cholesterol level being normal or a little higher. In contrast, in the skin homogenate of mice administered diazacholesterol the production of both lathosterol and cholesterol was almost completely blocked with the slightly increased production of cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol and desmosterol. The metabolism in vitro of [2-14C]-mevalonic acid was quite similar to that of zymosterol, and no additional product which might possibly have been produced by the Kandutsch-Russell pathway was observed. Two pathways for cholesterol biosynthesis, therefore, may exist in mouse skin; the first is lanosterol----zymosterol----5 alpha-cholesta-7,24-dien-3 beta-ol----lathosterol----7-dehydrocholesterol----cholesterol, and the second by Bloch: lanosterol----zymosterol----5 alpha-cholesta-7,24-dien-3 beta-ol----cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol----desmosterol----cholesterol. When mouse skin is treated with 3-MC the former pathway is virtually blocked and the latter is stimulated, keeping the level of cholesterol in the tissue constant or a little higher than normal, which seems to be a significant change in the early stage of chemical carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Origin of esterified cholesterol transported in the very low density lipoproteins of human plasma.

In two subjects the specific activity of esterified cholesterol in plasma lipoprotein subfractions was measured for up to 9 hr after an intravenous injection of [(3)H]mevalonic acid. It was found to be consistently higher in larger (S(f) > 100) than in smaller (S(f) 20-100) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Four subjects were given an intravenous injection of heparin so that the VLDL could be studied as its concentration fell and subsequently rose again. During the first hour the relative reduction was greatest for triglyceride, intermediate for free cholesterol, and least for esterified cholesterol. Between 1 and 7 hr postheparin, the VLDL pool was restored, but the pattern of increase of individual lipids was not parallel. The triglyceride increment was much greater during the 1-4-hr period than during the 4-7-hr period; in three of the subjects the free cholesterol increment was also greater during the earlier period. The increase in esterified cholesterol, however, was consistently greater during the 4-7-hr period. In six other subjects the specific activity of VLDL esterified cholesterol was related to that of its possible plasma precursors in samples collected at 1-hr intervals for 8 hr after the injection of [(3)H]mevalonic acid. Free cholesterol emerged as the most likely immediate precursor with the possibility of a hepatic as well as an intraplasma origin. The results did not support a major in vivo transfer of esterified cholesterol from high density lipoproteins to VLDL.

Adult↗

The biosynthesis of squalene and sterols by the adipose tissue of rat, sheep and man.

1. The subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue of man, the epididymal fat pads of the rat and the fat tail of the Syrian sheep incorporate mevalonic acid into non-saponifiable lipids. 2. Time studies showed that the rates of decarboxylation of mevalonic acid and synthesis of non-saponifiable lipids slightly decline after 20min. but subsequently remain linear for 6hr. 3. About one-half of the incorporated radioactivity in the non-saponifiable lipids was in squalene, 20% in lanosterol and cholesterol, and the remainder in unidentified substances.

Journal Article↗

Herbicide clomazone does not inhibit in vitro geranylgeranyl synthesis from mevalonate.

Clomazone reduced the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.), and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) seedlings. The order of species sensitivity was velvetleaf > spinach > barley > soybean. Clomazone (100 micromolar) did not affect the in vitro activities of spinach isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase or prenyl transferase. Clomazone also did not affect the synthesis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate from mevalonic acid. Thus, clomazone had no direct in vitro effect on the synthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate from mevalonic acid. Greening seedlings of both soybean and velvetleaf metabolized clomazone. No qualitative differences in the metabolites were detected between soybean and velvetleaf. Thus, differential metabolism of clomazone to a toxic chemical that inhibits terpenoid synthesis is unlikely. Clomazone has either a mode of action not yet identified or a metabolite that is selective in that it is much more active in sensitive than tolerant species.

Journal Article↗

Lovastatin induces apoptosis in a metastatic ovarian tumour cell line.

Lovastatin is a very specific and potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which regulates a rate-limiting step in the cellular synthesis of isoprenoid and cholesterol. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of rat ovarian metastatic OV1N cells with lovastatin induces apoptosis. Furthermore, apoptotic death of lovastatin-treated OV1N cells can be prevented by the addition of either mevalonic acid (an immediate metabolite of HMG-CoA) or farnesyl pyrophosphate (one of the downstream products of mevalonic acid metabolism). However, metabolic derivatives of farnesyl pyrophosphate failed to prevent the apoptotic effect of lovastatin on cells. Therefore farnesyl pyrophosphate appears to be important for cell survival and the relationship of this compound to protein farnesylation and apoptosis induction is discussed.

Journal Article↗

Cholesterol inhibition of isopentenyl pyrophosphate delta3, delta2-isomerase in Mycoplasma laidlawii.

Cholesterol inhibits isopentenyl Delta(3),Delta(2)-isomerase of Mycoplasma laidlawii in an apparently competitive fashion. The conversion of mevalonic acid to isopentenyl pyrophosphate is slightly stimulated. Organisms grown in the presence of mevalonic-2-(14)C acid contain small amounts of radio-label in nucleic acid and protein fractions. Most of the label is found in the lipids and is reduced dramatically in organisms grown with cholesterol. No significant accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates of polyterpene biosynthesis was observed in cells or culture supernatant fluid. All of the radioactivity appearing in the nucleic acid fraction occurs in the minor nucleoside, isopentenyl adenosine, of the transfer ribonucleic acid. The necessity for synthesis by the organisms of this minor nucleoside from mevalonic acid may explain the site of enzyme inhibition by cholesterol of polyterpene biosynthesis.

Carbon Isotopes↗

Characterization of the precursor of tetraether lipid biosynthesis in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum.

Polar lipid biosynthesis in the thermoacidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum was analyzed using terbinafine, an inhibitor of tetraether lipid biosynthesis. Cells of T. acidophilum were labeled with [(14)C]mevalonic acid, and their lipids were extracted and analyzed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Lipids labeled with [(14)C]mevalonic acid, [(14)C]glycerol, and [(32)P]orthophosphoric acid were extracted and hydrolyzed under different conditions to determine the structure of polar lipids. The polar lipids were estimated to be archaetidylglycerol, glycerophosphatidylcaldarchaetidylglycerol, caldarchaetidylglycerol, and beta- l-gulopyranosylcaldarchaetidylglycerol, the main polar lipid of T. acidophilum. Pulse and chase experiments with terbinafine revealed that one tetraether lipid molecule is synthesized by head-to-head condensation of two molecules of archaetidylglycerol and that a sugar group of tetraether phosphoglycolipid is expected to attach to the tetraether lipid core after head-to-head condensation in T. acidophilum. A precursor accumulated in the presence of terbinafine with a fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry peak m/z 806 was compatible with archaetidylglycerol. The relative height of the peak m/z 806 decreased after removal of the inhibitor. The results suggest that most of the precursor, archaetidylglycerol, is in fully saturated form.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗

Role of cholesterogenesis and isoprenoid synthesis in DNA replication and cell growth.

In summary, there is now ample evidence that cell growth, as well as DNA replication, is closely linked to cholesterogenesis in a manner that has only recently been appreciated. Mevalonic acid, the product of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterogenesis, is now known to serve at least two functions in the cell cycle. First, mevalonate acts as a precursor of the cholesterol that is needed for cell membrane synthesis, and second, independent of cholesterogenesis, mevalonate has been shown to serve a rapid and essential initiator function in DNA replication. These findings, coupled with the fact that loss of the cholesterol feedback control of mevalonic acid represents the most consistent biochemical defect so far identified in the malignant and premalignant states, suggests the possibility that uncontrolled synthesis of mevalonate may play a role in deranged DNA synthesis and malignant transformation.

Animals↗

The role of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in the metabolism of free cholesterol to cholesteryl esters or bile acids in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

Sandoz compound 58-035 has been shown to inhibit acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in a variety of cell types. We have shown that it does not inhibit rat liver microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of bile-acid synthesis, but it does inhibit acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in both the microsomal fraction and in rat hepatocyte monolayers. To test the role of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in these cells, monolayers were incubated over 5 h in the presence and absence of 58-035 and in the presence of increasing amounts of mevalonic acid to provide a source of cholesterol. The addition of mevalonic acid increased the secretion of bile acids by the cells, and this was further increased by the addition of 58-035. The secretion of cholesteryl esters was conversely inhibited by the addition of 58-035. The results help define the role of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in determining the fate of intracellular cholesterol.

Amides↗

Lovastatin and simvastatin--inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase and cholesterol biosynthesis.

The microsomal enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase is a key rate-controlling step early in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway that catalyzes the conversion of HMG CoA to mevalonic acid. Since this enzyme plays a significant role in regulating cholesterol synthesis, it is a rational target for pharmacologic intervention. The first potent, specific inhibitor of HMG CoA was mevastatin (compactin, ML-236B), which was discovered in 1976 by Endo et al. [J Antibiot 1976:29:1346-1348]. Subsequently, lovastatin, a novel, more active fungal metabolite was isolated from a strain of Aspergillus terreus. Lovastatin, the first of this class of agents to be approved for clinical use, was chemically modified to form simvastatin. Simvastatin is superior to lovastatin in intrinsic inhibitory potency. Both are inactive lactone prodrugs that must be converted to their respective dihydroxy open-acid forms to elicit inhibitory activity. Pharmacologic characterization of lovastatin and simvastatin has demonstrated that these potent inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase specifically inhibit cholesterol synthesis in animal cells, as well as in vivo after oral administration of the agents. Oral administration of either lovastatin or simvastatin to dogs in the presence or absence of the bile acid sequestrant cholestyramine results in a marked, sustained lowering of plasma cholesterol. Associated with the cholesterol lowering is a decrease in urinary and plasma levels of mevalonic acid, the end product of the HMG CoA reductase reaction. The target organ for inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase is the liver, the primary site of cholesterol biosynthesis. Both lovastatin and simvastatin are preferentially extracted by this organ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Inhibition of ent-Kaurene Oxidation and Growth by alpha-Cyclopropyl-alpha-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidine Methyl Alcohol.

Growth of Alaska peas (Pisum sativum) is inhibited more than 60% by alpha-cyclopropyl-alpha-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-pyrimidine methyl alcohol (ancymidol) treatment. This growth inhibition can be reversed completely by gibberellic acid application. Cell-free enzyme preparations from pea shoot tips and wild cucumber (Marah oreganus) endosperm were used to test the effects of this substituted pyrimidine on the incorporation of mevalonic acid-(14)C into ent-kaurene and ent-kaurenol, respectively. Ancyidol (10(-6)m) completely blocks the conversion of ent-kaurene to ent-kaurenol. This result was confirmed with the wild cucumber endosperm system by testing the direct conversion of labeled ent-kaurene to ent-kaurenol. Ancymidol at higher concentrations (10(-3)m) inhibits the incorporation of mevalonic acid-(14)C into ent-kaurene to a lesser extent. It is concluded that one mode of action of this growth regulator is the inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis.

Journal Article↗

Selective inhibition of isoprenylation of 21-26-kDa proteins by the anticarcinogen d-limonene and its metabolites.

Limonene has chemotherapeutic activity against chemically induced rat mammary carcinomas, many of which contain activated ras genes. Given the recent discovery of the post-translational modification of p21ras and other cell growth-associated proteins by intermediates in the mevalonic acid pathway, and the common biochemical origins of limonene and these isoprene products, we investigated the effect of limonene on protein isoprenylation. NIH3T3 and human mammary epithelial cells were incubated with lovastatin and [2-14C]mevalonolactone in the absence and presence of limonene. Labeled proteins were then subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Limonene inhibited isoprenylation of a class of cellular proteins of 21-26 kDa, including p21ras and possibly other small GTP-binding proteins, in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines. In contrast, limonene did not affect the isoprenylation of several other proteins, including nuclear lamins. Limonene is metabolized extensively in vivo but not in cultured cells. The two major rat serum metabolites of limonene, perillic acid and dihydroperillic acid, were more potent than limonene in the inhibition of isoprenylation. These results demonstrate that limonene selectively inhibits isoprenylation of 21-26-kDa proteins at a point in the mevalonic acid pathway distal to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and they provide a plausible explanation for its chemotherapeutic activity. Inhibition of isoprenylation of proteins such as p21ras and other small GTP-binding proteins would alter their intracellular localization and, hence, disrupt their biological activity.

Animals↗

Effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibition on human gut mucosa.

Mevalonic acid is an important biochemical intermediate in cholesterol synthesis and other processes involved in cell replication. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is the enzyme which catalyzes mevalonic acid synthesis. To determine whether a potent competitive inhibitor of this enzyme, the drug simvastatin, may have an adverse effect on enterocyte cell replication and cholesterol metabolism, small intestinal biopsies from nine hypercholesterolemic subjects were obtained before and during treatment with simvastatin as a lipid-lowering agent. Histologic review of biopsies in a blinded manner detected no change in ratio of villous length to crypt length or in mitotic index which might indicate altered cell replication. Similarly, no significant change in measured activity of HMG-CoA reductase activity was observed. In spite of the high exposure of jejunal mucosal cells to this potent competitive inhibitor of a key enzyme, no adverse effect on growth could be detected.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Stimulation of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity after a single dose of the porphyrogenic chemical, allylisopropylacetamide.

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in fasting rats was almost doubled 12 h following a single dose (400 mg/kg) of the porphyrogenic chemical allylisopropylacetamide. This doubling effect of the drug on enzyme activity was observed during the basal period, as well as at midnight, when it is maximal in the diurnal rhythm. Cycloheximide, whether given alone or simultaneously with the drug, reduced the enzyme activity to very low levels. Actinomycin D administered alone prevented the normal rise in reductase activity which occurs at night; however, when administered with the drug, it inhibited but did not completely suppress the inducing effect of allylisopropylacetamide. These data suggest a requirement for protein synthesis to observe the stimulating effect of allylisopropylacetamide on hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity. A modification in the reductase assay is also described wherein the formation of mevalonolactone from mevalonic acid, the end-product of the assay, is maximized with 3 M HCl. Using this procedure, consistent yields of mevalonolactone in the 90% range are observed since the use of 3M HCl prevents dehydration of mevalonic acid to delta3, 4-methyl-delta-valerolactone.

Acetamides↗

Group IVC cytosolic phospholipase A2gamma is farnesylated and palmitoylated in mammalian cells.

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2)gamma (cPLA(2)gamma) is a member of the group IV family of intracellular phospholipase A(2) enzymes, but unlike the well-studied cPLA(2)alpha, it is constitutively bound to membrane and is calcium independent. cPLA(2)gamma contains a C-terminal CaaX sequence and is radiolabeled by mevalonic acid when expressed in cPLA(2)alpha-deficient immortalized lung fibroblasts (IMLF(-/-)). The radiolabel associated with cPLA(2)gamma was identified as the farnesyl group. The protein farnesyltransferase inhibitor BMS-214662 prevented the incorporation of [(3)H]mevalonic acid into cPLA(2)gamma and partially suppressed serum-stimulated arachidonic acid release from IMLF(-/-) and undifferentiated human skeletal muscle (SkMc) cells overexpressing cPLA(2)gamma, but not from cells overexpressing cPLA(2)alpha. However, BMS-214662 did not alter the amount of cPLA(2)gamma associated with membrane. These results were consistent in COS cells expressing the C538S cPLA(2)gamma prenylation mutant. cPLA(2)gamma also contains a classic myristoylation site and several potential palmitoylation sites and was found to be acylated with oleic and palmitic acids but not myristoylated. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that cPLA(2)gamma is associated with mitochondria in IMLF(-/-), SkMc cells, and COS cells.

Acylation↗

Light-Stimulated Carotenoid Biosynthesis during Transformation of Maize Etioplasts Is Regulated by Increased Activity of Isopentenyl Pyrophosphate Isomerase.

Light-stimulated carotenoid biosynthesis associated with the transformation of etioplasts to chloroplasts was investigated after dark-grown maize (Zea mays) seedlings were transferred into light. These studies focused on the enzymes of the pathway to detect those enzyme activities that were stimulated in the light and thus that were responsible for increased biosynthesis of carotenoids. In preliminary experiments, norflurazon, an inhibitor of phytoene desaturase, was used to prevent phytoene being further metabolized to carotenoids. Light-dependent stimulation of phytoene accumulation indicated that the light-regulated steps are located in the pathway leading to phytoene synthesis. The use of the 14C- labeled precursors mevalonic acid, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, and farnesyl pyrophosphate pointed to increased activity of an enzyme involved in the biosynthetic steps between isopentenyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl pyrophosphate. Determination of the activities of all five enzymes of the pathway involved in the sequence from mevalonic acid to phytoene revealed that the only enzyme activity stimulated by light was isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase. Over a 3-h period of illumination, this enzyme activity, like carotenoid biosynthesis, was stimulated 2.8-fold.

Journal Article↗

Inhibition of growth of cultured tobacco cells at low concentrations of lovastatin is reversed by cytokinin.

De novo synthesis of mevalonic acid, which is catalyzed by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, is the first committed step in the formation of isoprenoid compounds. Various studies have shown that mevalonic acid-derived compounds are required for growth of plant and animal cells, a conclusion supported by the observation that cells treated with lovastatin (a potent inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase) cease growth. We show that Nicotiana tabacum BY-2 cells, which require exogenous auxin for growth in culture but do not require exogenous cytokinin, are growth inhibited by 1 mum lovastatin. However, these cells are capable of growing in the presence of 1 mum lovastatin if 8 mum zeatin is supplied in the medium. Furthermore, benzyladenine, kinetin, and thidiazuron effectively reverse the inhibition of growth of these cells at 1 mum lovastatin, whereas adenine and 6-methyladenine have no effect. These results demonstrate that restoration of growth to lovastatin-treated cells is cytokinin specific and is not caused by metabolism of cytokinin into other isoprenoid compounds. Cytokinin does not effectively reverse the effects of higher concentrations of lovastatin, but mevalonic acid does, consistent with the hypothesis that cytokinin biosynthesis is more sensitive to lovastatin than the biosynthesis of other essential isoprenoid compounds in tobacco cells. This observation suggests that lovastatin can be used to induce cytokinin dependence in cytokinin-autonomous tobacco cell cultures.

Journal Article↗