Membranes
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Research on life sciences published by scientists at Vanderbilt University
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Cholesterol is a critical component of neuronal membranes, required for normal signal transduction. We showed previously that adult hippocampal neurons co-express high levels of cholesterogenic enzymes, and that their expression is under the control of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR)," scientists writing in the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience report. "Most of the cellular effects of p75NTR are mediated via interacting proteins, including neurotrophin receptor interacting factor (NRIF). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that p75NTR-dependent regulation of cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis genes is mediated by NRIF. We found that in vitro down regulation of NRIF expression decreased the mRNA for two main cholesterogenic enzymes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr; EC 2.3.3.10) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (Dhcr7; EC 1.3.1.21). Further analyses revealed that NRIF-dependent and Dhcr7-dependent transcriptional changes show a high degree of overlap, and that NRIF reduction resulted in reduced expression of sterol-sensing domain protein SCAP, followed by a decrease in mRNA levels of SRE-motif containing genes (HMGCR, FASN, SREBP2, S1P, and SQS1). Finally, a reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis-related gene expression was also observed in hippocampal tissue of mice with NRIF deletion," wrote Z. Korade and colleagues, Vanderbilt University. The researchers concluded: "Our combined in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that hippocampal neuronal cholesterol biosynthesis is regulated through the p75NTR interacting factor NRIF.." Korade and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience (NRIF is a Regulator of Neuronal Cholesterol Biosynthesis Genes. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 2009;38(2):152-158). Additional information can be obtained by contacting Z. Korade, Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Biochemistry, School Medical, 8124A MRB 3, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. The publisher of the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience can be contacted at: Humana Press Inc., 999 Riverview Drive Suite 208, Totowa, NJ 07512, USA. Keywords: United States, Nashville, Life Sciences, Hematology, Oncology, Neuroblastoma, Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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