Cholesterol biosynthesis in a variety of cultured cells. Lack of correlation between synthesis and activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase caused by dexamethasone.

In a variety of cell lines grown in the presence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone, the incorporation of acetate into cellular cholesterol was partially suppressed. However, the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (mevalonate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34) was either significantly elevated or remained unchanged providing evidence that under certain conditions 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity is not a valid measure of cholesterogenesis.