Evidence for independent regulation of dolichol and cholesterol synthesis in developing mouse brain.

In order to investigate the regulatory inter-relationships between the branching pathways of dolichol and cholesterol synthesis, we have measured the changing rates of synthesis for these two lipids in developing mouse brains. A sharp peak in the rate of dolichol synthesis occured at 3-7 days after birth which did not coincide with changes in cholesterol synthesis, suggesting independent regulation of dolichol and cholesterol synthesis in developing mouse brains.