J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 22, 10150-10156, 08, 1986
Isopentenoid synthesis in isolated embryonic Drosophila cells. Possible regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity by shunted mevalonate carbon
C Havel, ER Rector 2d and JA Watson
Our previous studies (Watson, J. A., Havel, C. M., Lobos, D. V., Baker, F.
C., and Morrow, C. J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14083-14091) suggested
that a matabolite, distal to isopentenyl 1-pyrophospate (IPP), served as a
regulatory signal for sterol-independent modulation of Kc cell
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. This
report summarizes efforts to localize the potential source of the post-IPP
regulatory signal molecule. We found no direct correlation between
mevalonate-mediated suppression of Kc cell HMG-CoA reductase activity and
the rates of [1-14C]-, [3-14C]-, [5-14C]-, or [5- 3H]mevalonate
incorporation into either carbon dioxide, neutral lipids, water, or
water-soluble isopentenoid pyrophosphate esters. [1- 14C]Mevalonate's rate
of conversion to 14CO2 (a measure of total isopentenyl 1-pyrophosphate
synthesis) was minimally 5-fold greater than that for neutral isopentenoid
lipid synthesis (measured with either [5-3H]-, [3-14C]-, or
[5-14C]mevalonate). However, [5- 3H]mevalonate's rate of conversion into
[3H]H2O (measure of shunted mevalonate carbon) was equivalent or greater
than that measured for neutral isopentenoid lipid synthesis.
[5-14C]Mevalonate radioactivity was incorporated into macromolecules and
n-fatty acids. Kc cell extracts (100,000 X g supernatant fluid) readily
oxidized alcohols with the following activity sequence: geraniol = nerol
greater than farnesol = dimethylallyl alcohol greater than geranylgeraniol,
isopentenyl alcohol, and allyl alcohol. Oxidation required NAD, and ethanol
was not a substrate. We conclude that (a) Kc cells shunted a significant
fraction (greater than or equal to 40%) of their post-IPP carbon to prenols
for oxidative catabolism and (b) that shunted mevalonate carbon may play a
significant role in the mevalonate-mediated regulation of Kc cell HMG-CoA
reductase activity.