Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanosterol synthase, a predicted 83 kDa protein of 732 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36-40% identical to known yeast and plant homologues and 83% identical to Rattus norvegicus lanosterol synthase. The new gene was shown to encode lanosterol synthase. The yeast lanosterol synthase deficient mutant SMY8 was complemented by the human gene, and a cell-free homogenate of SMY8 expressing the human gene was shown to convert 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol.
The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the formation of cholesterol, cholest-5-en-3 beta-ol, the principal sterol of vertebrates and the precursor of many steroids, including bile acids and steroid hormones.
Liver X receptor (LXR) activation represents a mechanism to prevent macrophage foam cell formation. Previously, we demonstrated that partial inhibition of oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase (OSC) stimulated synthesis of the LXR agonist 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol (24(S),25-epoxy) and enhanced ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux. In contrast to a synthetic, nonsteroidal LXR activator, TO-901317, triglyceride accumulation was not observed. In the present study, we determined whether endogenous 24(S),25-epoxy synthesis selectively enhanced expression of macrophage LXR-regulated cholesterol efflux genes but not genes that regulate fatty acid metabolism. THP-1 human macrophages incubated with the OSC inhibitor (OSCi) RO0714565 (15 nM) significantly reduced cholesterol synthesis and maximized synthesis of 24(S),25-epoxy. Endogenous 24(S),25-epoxy increased ABCA1, ABCG1, and APOE mRNA abundance and consequently increased cholesterol efflux to apoAI. In contrast, OSCi had no effect on LXR-regulated genes LPL (lipoprotein lipase) and FAS (fatty acid synthase). TO-901317 (>or=10 nM) significantly enhanced expression of all genes examined. OSCi and TO-901317 increased the mRNA and precursor form of SREBP-1c, a major regulator of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis. However, conversion of the precursor to the active form (nSREBP-1c) was blocked by OSCi-induced 24(S),25-epoxy but not by TO-901317 (>or=10 nm), which instead markedly increased nSREBP-1c. Disruption of nSREBP-1c formation by 24(S),25-epoxy accounted for diminished FAS and LPL expression. In summary, endogenous synthesis of 24(S),25-epoxy selectively up-regulates expression of macrophage LXR-regulated cholesterol efflux genes without stimulating genes linked to fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis.
Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanosterol synthase, a predicted 83 kDa protein of 732 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36-40% identical to known yeast and plant homologues and 83% identical to Rattus norvegicus lanosterol synthase. The new gene was shown to encode lanosterol synthase. The yeast lanosterol synthase deficient mutant SMY8 was complemented by the human gene, and a cell-free homogenate of SMY8 expressing the human gene was shown to convert 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol.
The monotopic integral membrane protein 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) catalyzes the formation of lanosterol the first sterol precursor of cholesterol in mammals. Therefore, it is an important target for the development of new hypocholesterolemic drugs. Here, we report the overexpression and purification of functional human OSC (hOSC) in Pichia pastoris. The obtained IC(50) for the reference inhibitor Ro 48-8071 is nearly identical for the recombinant hOSC compared to OSC from human liver microsomes. The correlation of analytical ultracentrifugation data and activity measurements showed the highest enzymatic activity for the monomeric hOSC indicating that this would be the natural form. Furthermore, these data helped us to identify the detergent for a successful crystallization of the protein. The availability of this active recombinant human membrane protein is a very important step on the way to a more detailed functional and structural characterization of OSCs.
Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanosterol synthase, a predicted 83 kDa protein of 732 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36-40% identical to known yeast and plant homologues and 83% identical to Rattus norvegicus lanosterol synthase. The new gene was shown to encode lanosterol synthase. The yeast lanosterol synthase deficient mutant SMY8 was complemented by the human gene, and a cell-free homogenate of SMY8 expressing the human gene was shown to convert 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol.
Protein involved in the synthesis of lipids, a diverse class of compounds which are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include fats, oils, triacylglycerols, fatty acids, glycolipids, phospholipids and steroids.
Protein involved in the biochemical reactions of lipids. Lipids are a diverse class of compounds which are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include fats, oils, triacylglycerols, fatty acids, glycolipids, phospholipids and steroids.
In vivo synthesis of steroids (steroidogenesis), a large group of complex polycyclic lipids that consist of a 17-carbon ring system. Examples are bile acids, sterols, various hormones and saponins.
Enzyme that catalyzes the 1,1-, 1,2- or 1,3-hydrogen shift. The 1,1- hydrogen shift is an inversion at an asymmetric carbon center (racemases, epimerases). The 1,2-hydrogen shift involved a hydrogen transfer between two adjacent carbon atoms, one undergoing oxidation, the other reduction (aldose-ketose isomerases). The 1,3-hydrogen shifts are allylic or azaallylic (when nitrogen is one of the three atoms) isomerizations.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.