Differential regulation of the synthesis of mannosylphosphoryl derivatives of dolichol and retinol in HeLa cells.

We have shown earlier that in HeLa S3G cells, glucocorticoids stimulate the synthesis of dolichyl phosphorylmannose (Dol-P-Man) with a concomitant increase in the glycosylation of proteins (Ramachandran, C.K., Gray, S.L. and Melnykovych G. (1982) Biochem. J. 208, 47-52). Although controversial, there have been several lines of evidence suggesting that the synthesis of retinyl phosphorylmannose (Ret-P-Man) and Dol-P-Man may be carried out by the same enzyme. We examined this possibility and conclude that in HeLa S3G cells the syntheses of Dol-P-Man and Ret-P-Man are catalyzed by two different enzymes located in the same microenvironment. Our conclusion is based on the following observations: exogenously added dolichyl phosphate and retinyl phosphate did not compete with each other; when the cells were grown in the presence of 1 microM dexamethasone, the microsomal synthesis of Dol-P-Man was stimulated, without affecting the Ret-P-Man synthesis; Arrhenius plots on Ret-P-Man and Dol-P-Man synthesis showed breaks at 22 and 37.7 degrees C.