Effects of a new calf thymus protein on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in rat (Rattus bubalus) hepatocyte cells (BRL-3A)

Abstract

1. In a previous paper we described the purification steps of a new calf thymus protein able to activate the LDL receptor catabolism. 2. In this paper we examine the modulatory effect of this new calf thymus protein on 3HMG-CoA reductase activity in rat hepatocyte cells to better clarify the role of this protein on cholesterol metabolism. 3. The results obtained show that the calf thymus protein inhibits the HMG-CoA reductase, and support the hypothesis that the activation of LDL receptor catabolism is mediated by a decreased amount of cellular cholesterol following HMG-CoA reductase inhibition.