Sterol-mediated suppression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels in cultured cells requires protein synthesis

The mRNA levels for HMG-CoA reductase were measured in Chinese hamster lung Dede cells or ovary CHO cells by Northern blot analysis. It was observed that 25-hydroxycholesterol decreased the level of reductase mRNA by 40 to 70% in a 6 hour treatment. Inclusion of cycloheximide in the culture prevented the decrease observed with 25-hydroxycholesterol alone. Pretreatment of cells with 25-hydroxycholesterol for 6 hours prior to cycloheximide addition reveals that the protein synthesis inhibitor can return the suppressed levels of reductase mRNA back to control levels. Thus, protein synthesis is required for 25-hydroxycholesterol dependent suppression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA.