Open AccessCorrelation between cholesterol esterification, MDR1 gene expression and rate of cell proliferation in CEM and MOLT4 cell lines
Author(s) -
Batetta B.,
Pani A.,
Putzolu M.,
Sanna F.,
Bonatesta R.,
Piras S.,
Spano O.,
Mulas M. F.,
Dessí S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2184.1999.3210049.x
Subject(s) - sterol o acyltransferase , reductase , cholesterol , cell growth , hmg coa reductase , intracellular , biology , receptor , cell division , gene expression , lovastatin , cell , cell culture , biochemistry , gene , lipoprotein , enzyme , genetics
. A positive correlation between cholesterol esterification and growth rate potential was previously found in our laboratory during the growth of CEM and MOLT4 lymphoblastic cells. In the current study, we investigated whether the rates of cholesterol esters synthesis correlate with changes of acyl‐CoAcholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) mRNA levels and of other genes implied in cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake, such as 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMGCoA) reductase and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The results showed that the more rapid growing CEM cells had lower levels of expression of HMGCoA‐reductase and LDL receptors compared to MOLT4. By contrast, ACAT mRNA levels were higher in CEM cells, further supporting the concept of a possible involvement of cholesterol esters in the regulation of cell growth and division. In this study, high levels of cholesterol esterification and of expression of ACAT gene were also associated with a markedly increased expression of multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene, suggesting that MDR1 activity might contribute to regulate the rate of cell growth and division by modulating intracellular cholesterol ester levels.