HMG CoA reductase and LDL receptor genes are regulated differently by 15-ketosterols in Hep G2 cells.

The ability of two 15-ketosubstituted sterols, 5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-3beta-ol-15-one and 3beta-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one, to alter the mRNA levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, low density lipoprotein receptor, and oxysterol binding protein was studied and compared with the effects of 25-hydroxycholesterol in Hep G2 cells. All three oxysterols decreased the level of HMG CoA reductase mRNA at concentrations of 10-30 microM, although 25-hydroxycholesterol was effective at concentrations of 1-3 microM. 25-Hydroxycholesterol lowered the level of LDL receptor mRNA more efficiently after 8 hours than after 24 hours of incubation, whereas 15-ketosterols did not decrease the mRNA level of the LDL receptor. The transcriptions of HMG CoA reductase and LDL receptor genes are therefore independently regulated by 15-ketosterols in Hep G2 cells. In addition, the level of the oxysterol binding protein mRNA is not affected by oxysterols in Hep G2 cells.