Publications

• A comprehensive machine-readable view of the mammalian cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

  Mazein A., Watterson S., Hsieh W.Y., Griffiths W.J., Ghazal P.

  Cholesterol biosynthesis serves as a central metabolic hub for numerous biological processes in health and disease. A detailed, integrative single-view description of how the cholesterol pathway is structured and how it interacts with other pathway systems is lacking in the existing literature. He ... >> More

  Cholesterol biosynthesis serves as a central metabolic hub for numerous biological processes in health and disease. A detailed, integrative single-view description of how the cholesterol pathway is structured and how it interacts with other pathway systems is lacking in the existing literature. Here we provide a systematic review of the existing literature and present a detailed pathway diagram that describes the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway (the mevalonate, the Kandutch-Russell and the Bloch pathway) and shunt pathway that leads to 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol synthesis. The diagram has been produced using the Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN) and is available in the SBGN-ML format, a human readable and machine semantically parsable open community file format. << Less

  Biochem. Pharmacol. 86:56-66(2013) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 30 other entries.

• The monotopic membrane protein human oxidosqualene cyclase is active as monomer.

  Ruf A., Muller F., D'Arcy B., Stihle M., Kusznir E., Handschin C., Morand O.H., Thoma R.

  The monotopic integral membrane protein 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) catalyzes the formation of lanosterol the first sterol precursor of cholesterol in mammals. Therefore, it is an important target for the development of new hypocholesterolemic drugs. Here, we report the overexpression and puri ... >> More

  The monotopic integral membrane protein 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) catalyzes the formation of lanosterol the first sterol precursor of cholesterol in mammals. Therefore, it is an important target for the development of new hypocholesterolemic drugs. Here, we report the overexpression and purification of functional human OSC (hOSC) in Pichia pastoris. The obtained IC(50) for the reference inhibitor Ro 48-8071 is nearly identical for the recombinant hOSC compared to OSC from human liver microsomes. The correlation of analytical ultracentrifugation data and activity measurements showed the highest enzymatic activity for the monomeric hOSC indicating that this would be the natural form. Furthermore, these data helped us to identify the detergent for a successful crystallization of the protein. The availability of this active recombinant human membrane protein is a very important step on the way to a more detailed functional and structural characterization of OSCs. << Less

  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 315:247-254(2004) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Catalytic mechanism and product specificity of oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase: a QM/MM study.

  Tian B.X., Eriksson L.A.

  Oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (OSC) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. The catalytic mechanism and the product specificity of OSC have herein been studied using QM/MM calculations. According to our calculations, the protonation of the epoxide ring of oxidosqualene is rate-limit ... >> More

  Oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (OSC) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. The catalytic mechanism and the product specificity of OSC have herein been studied using QM/MM calculations. According to our calculations, the protonation of the epoxide ring of oxidosqualene is rate-limiting. Wild-type OSC (which generates lanosterol), and the mutants H232S (which generates parkeol) and H232T (which generates protosta-12,24-dien-3-β-ol) were modeled, in order to explain the product specificity thereof. We show that the product specificity of OSC at the hydride/methyl-shifting stage is unlikely to be achieved by the stabilization of the cationic intermediates, as the precursor of lanosterol is in fact not the most stable cationic intermediate for wild-type OSC. The energy barriers for the product-determining conversions are instead found to be related to the product specificity of different OSC mutants, and we thus suggest that the product specificity of OSC is likely to be controlled by kinetics, rather than thermodynamics. << Less

  J Phys Chem B 116:13857-13862(2012) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Purification, tandem mass characterization, and inhibition studies of oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase enzyme from bovine liver.

  Wu T.-K., Huang C.-Y., Ko C.-Y., Chang C.-H., Chen Y.-J., Liao H.-K.

  The oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (OSC) from bovine liver has been isolated from the microsomal membrane fraction and purified to homogeneity by ultracentrifugation, Q-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite, and HiTrap heparin chromatographies. The purified protein required Triton X-100 to retain its highes ... >> More

  The oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (OSC) from bovine liver has been isolated from the microsomal membrane fraction and purified to homogeneity by ultracentrifugation, Q-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite, and HiTrap heparin chromatographies. The purified protein required Triton X-100 to retain its highest activity. The cyclase had a molecular mass of approximately 70 and approximately 140 kDa, as evidenced by a single protein band on silver-stained SDS-PAGE and Coomassie-stained PAGE, respectively. Results from Edman degradation of OSC suggested that it might have a blocked N-terminus. Further peptide mapping coupled with tandem mass spectrometric determination identified three peptide fragments, ILGVGPDDPDLVR, LSAEEGPLVQSLR, and NPDGGFATYETK, which are highly homologous to human, rat, and mouse OSCs. The purified cyclase showed pH and temperature optima at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, respectively. The apparent K(M) and k(cat)/K(M) values were estimated to be 11 microM and 1.45 mM(-1)min(-1), respectively. Inhibition studies using both Ro48-8071 and N-(4-methylenebenzophenonyl)pyridinium bromide showed potent inhibition of OSC with an IC(50) of 11 nM and 0.79 microM, respectively. Results from DTNB modification and DTNB coupled with Ro48-8071 competition study suggest that two sulfhydryl groups are involved in the catalysis but not located in the substrate binding pocket or catalytic active site. The purified OSC was maximally inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate near neutral pH and re-activated by hydroxylamine, indicating the modification of histidine residues. The stoichiometry of histidine modification and the extent of inactivation showed that two essential histidine residues per active site are necessary for complete bovine liver OSC activity. << Less

  Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 421:42-53(2004) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Some properties of the microsomal 2,3-oxidosqualene sterol cyclase.

  Yamamoto S., Lin K., Bloch K.

  The transformation of 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol is catalyzed by a microsomal enzyme (cyclase) which can be obtained in soluble and partially purified form by treatment of liver microsomes with deoxycholate as previously shown. The catalytic and physical properties of the soluble enzyme are d ... >> More

  The transformation of 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol is catalyzed by a microsomal enzyme (cyclase) which can be obtained in soluble and partially purified form by treatment of liver microsomes with deoxycholate as previously shown. The catalytic and physical properties of the soluble enzyme are determined by ionic strength. In 0.4 M KCl the cyclase exists largely in a dissociated, enzymatically active form. Solutions of low ionic strength (0.1 M KCl or less) cause enzyme aggregation and loss of activity. The anionic detergent deoxycholate is essential for cyclase activity, but is effective only in a narrow concentration range. << Less

  Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 63:110-117(1969) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Molecular cloning of the human gene encoding lanosterol synthase from a liver cDNA library.

  Baker C.H., Matsuda S.P.T., Liu D.R., Corey E.J.

  Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanoste ... >> More

  Lanosterol synthase [(S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol forming), EC 5.4.99.7] catalyzes the cyclization of (S)-2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol in the reaction that forms the sterol nucleus. We report herein the cloning and characterization of the human gene (OSC) encoding lanosterol synthase, a predicted 83 kDa protein of 732 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36-40% identical to known yeast and plant homologues and 83% identical to Rattus norvegicus lanosterol synthase. The new gene was shown to encode lanosterol synthase. The yeast lanosterol synthase deficient mutant SMY8 was complemented by the human gene, and a cell-free homogenate of SMY8 expressing the human gene was shown to convert 2,3-oxidosqualene to lanosterol. << Less

  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 213:154-160(1995) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Effects of a supernatant protein activator on microsomal squalene-2,3-oxide-lanosterol cyclase.

  Caras I.W., Bloch K.

  A soluble protein termed "supernatant protein factor" (SPF) that stimulates microsomal squalene epoxidase has been isolated in this laboratory (Ferguson, J.B., and Bloch, K. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 5381-5385). We now show that the purified protein also stimulates microsomal squalene-2,3-oxide l ... >> More

  A soluble protein termed "supernatant protein factor" (SPF) that stimulates microsomal squalene epoxidase has been isolated in this laboratory (Ferguson, J.B., and Bloch, K. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 5381-5385). We now show that the purified protein also stimulates microsomal squalene-2,3-oxide leads to lanosterol cyclase but has no effect on the subsequent conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol. Phospholipid, specifically phosphatidylglycerol or phosphatidylethanolamine, is required for maximal stimulation of the cyclase by purified SPF. The response of microsomal squalene epoxide-lanosterol cyclase to SPF was abolished by pretreatment of the membranes with phospholipase A2 or by low concentrations of deoxycholate, indicating that an intact membrane system is required. Digestion of intact microsomes with trypsin had no effect on the SPF-stimulated cyclase activity. However, in the presence of 0.4% deoxycholate, trypsin completely inhibited microsomal squalene epoxide-lanosterol cyclase. We conclude that the cyclase is located on the luminal side of the microsomal membrane. SPF also significantly enhances the formation of lanosterol from squalene-2,3-oxide already bound to microsomes. This finding is constant with the proposal that SPF influences intramembrane events. << Less

  J Biol Chem 254:11816-11821(1979) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Molecular cloning, characterization, and functional expression of rat oxidosqualene cyclase cDNA.

  Abe I., Prestwich G.D.

  A cDNA encoding rat oxidosqualene lanosterol-cyclase [lanosterol synthase; (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol-forming), EC 5.4.99.7] was cloned and sequenced by a combination of PCR amplification, using primers based on internal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme, and cDNA ... >> More

  A cDNA encoding rat oxidosqualene lanosterol-cyclase [lanosterol synthase; (S)-2,3-epoxysqualene mutase (cyclizing, lanosterol-forming), EC 5.4.99.7] was cloned and sequenced by a combination of PCR amplification, using primers based on internal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme, and cDNA library screening by oligonucleotide hybridization. An open reading frame of 2199 bp encodes a M(r) 83,321 protein with 733 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the rat enzyme showed significant homology to the known oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) from yeast and plant (39-44% identity) and still retained 17-26% identity to two bacterial squalene cyclases (EC 5.4.99.-). Like other cyclases, the rat enzyme is rich in aromatic amino acids and contains five so-called QW motifs, highly conserved regions with a repetitive beta-strand turn motif. The binding site sequence for the 29-methylidene-2,3-oxidosqualene (29-MOS), a mechanism-based irreversible inhibitor specific for the vertebrate cyclase, is well-conserved in all known OSCs. The hydropathy plot revealed a rather hydrophilic N-terminal region and the absence of a hydrophobic signal peptide. Unexpectedly, this microsomal membrane-associated enzyme showed no clearly delineated transmembrane domain. A full-length cDNA was constructed and subcloned into a pYEUra3 plasmid, selected in Escherichia coli cells, and used to transform the OSC-deficient uracil-auxotrophic SGL9 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant rat OSC expressed was efficiently labeled by the mechanism-based inhibitor [3H]29-MOS. << Less

  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92:9274-9278(1995) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• A soluble 2,3-oxidosqualene sterol cyclase.

  Dean P.D., Ortiz de Montellano P.R., Bloch K., Corey E.J.

  J Biol Chem 242:3014-3015(1967) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Tryptophan 232 within oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae influences rearrangement and deprotonation but not cyclization reactions.

  Wu T.K., Yu M.T., Liu Y.T., Chang C.H., Wang H.J., Diau E.W.

  [reaction: see text] Oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclases convert oxidosqualene to lanosterol in yeast and mammals. Site-saturated mutants' construction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase, at Trp232 exchanges against proteinogenic amino acids, and product profiles are shown. ... >> More

  [reaction: see text] Oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclases convert oxidosqualene to lanosterol in yeast and mammals. Site-saturated mutants' construction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase, at Trp232 exchanges against proteinogenic amino acids, and product profiles are shown. All mutants, except Lys and Arg, produced protosta-12,24-dien-3beta-ol, lanosterol, and parkeol. Overall, Trp232 plays a catalytic role in the influence of rearrangement process and determination of deprotonation position but does not involve intervention in the cyclization steps. << Less

  Org Lett 8:1319-1322(2006) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Site-saturated mutagenesis of histidine 234 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase demonstrates dual functions in cyclization and rearrangement reactions.

  Wu T.K., Liu Y.T., Chang C.H., Yu M.T., Wang H.J.

  Site-saturated mutagenesis experiments were carried out on the His234 residue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (ERG7) to characterize its functional role in ERG7 activity and to determine its effect on the oxidosqualene cyclization/rearrangement reaction. Two novel inte ... >> More

  Site-saturated mutagenesis experiments were carried out on the His234 residue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (ERG7) to characterize its functional role in ERG7 activity and to determine its effect on the oxidosqualene cyclization/rearrangement reaction. Two novel intermediates, (13alphaH)-isomalabarica-14(26),17E,21-trien-3beta-ol and protosta-20,24-dien-3beta-ol, isolated from ERG7(H234X) mutants, provided direct mechanistic evidence for formation of the chair-boat 6-6-5 tricyclic Markovnikov cation and protosteryl cation that were assigned provisionally to the ERG7-catalyzed biosynthetic pathway. In addition, we obtained mutants that showed a complete change in product specificity from lanosterol formation to either protosta-12,24-dien-3beta-ol or parkeol production. Finally, the repeated observation of multiple abortive and/or alternative cyclization/arrangement products from various ERG7(H234X) mutants demonstrated the catalytic plasticity of the enzyme. Specifically, subtle changes in the active site affect both the stability of the cation-pi interaction and generate product diversity. << Less

  J Am Chem Soc 128:6414-6419(2006) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]