Modulation of rat liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity by reversible phosphorylation

We have previously reported that the enzymic activity of rat liver-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (NADPH) (HMG-CoA reductase) is modulated in vitro by a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction sequence. The in vitro phosphorylation of HMG-CoA reductase was further studied by utilizing purified HMG-CoA reductase and reductase kinase. Analysis of 32P-labeled HMG-CoA reductase revealed 1 mol of phosphate per subunit. Purified [32P]HMG-CoA reductase could be dephosphorylated with phosphoprotein phosphatase. To demonstrate the in vivo phosphorylation, rats were injected with 32P and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase was isolated by immunoprecipitation and also by purification of the enzyme to homogeneity. Analysis of [32P]HMG-CoA reductase by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed a single peak of radioactivity comigrating with HMG-CoA reductase. Administration of glucagon enhances the in vivo phosphorylation of both HMG-CoA reductase and reductase kinase. In response to glucagon, HMG-CoA reductase activity is decreased whereas reductase kinase activity is increased. These results support our concept that the enzymic activity of HMG-CoA reductase is modulated by a bicyclic cascade system involving phosphorylation-dephosphorylation. The enzymic activity of HMG-CoA reductase has also been shown to be modulated by cholesterol and mevalonolactone by both short-term and long-term mechanisms. The effects of cholesterol and mevalonolactone are twofold. Rapid inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity is due to increased phosphorylation of the enzyme; the long-term effect of HMG-CoA reductase is achieved by reduction in enzyme concentration by modulation of enzyme synthesis and/or degradation. Regulation of HMG-CoA reductase by mevalonolactone is of major importance in cellular metabolism because mevalonate serves as precursor for four separate metabolic pathways, including the formation of cholesterol, ubiquinone, dolichols, and isopentenyl tRNA.