Q2-CB16/Cholesterol Flashcards
What are the 3 important lipid components of the biological membrane?
phospholipids, spingolipids, and cholesterol
which of the lipid components of the biological membrane is the least solube?
cholesterol
cholesterol is more ______ than other membrane lipids
rigid
cholesterol inserts itself between __________
fatty acid chains
cholesterol inserts itself between fatty acid chains to prevent their ___________
crystallization
cholesterol is synthesised from acetyl CoA in ______ stages
three
What is the structure of cholesterol?
condensed 4 ring structure
How many atoms does cholesterol have?
27 carbon atoms
What are the 3 stages of cholesterol synthesis?
- synthesis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate
- condensation of 6 mols of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to form squalene
- squalene cyclizes and the tetracyclic product is turned into cholesterol
What reaction does HMG CoA reductase help in?
it turns acetoacetyl CoA + acetyl CoA into mevalonate
How is mevalonate converted to isopentenyl pyrophosphate?
it is converted in 3 consecutive reactions that require ATP
squalene is made from ______ mols of isopentenyl pyrophosphate
6
What is the reaction sequence from isopentenyl pyrophosphate to squalene?
Explain how squalene cyclizes for form cholesterol.
squalene is first oxidized to squalene 2,3-epoxide.
squalene 2,3-epoxide cyclizes to form lanosterol.
a few 1,2-methyl groups and hydrides (H-) on the lanosterol shift along the molecule to turn into 4 rings which finally turns the lanosterol into cholesterol
What are normal cholesterol levels in adult humans?
140g cholesterol, 3.7 - 5.2 mmol/L
where are the major sites of cholesterol synthesis?
liver, intestine, reproductive tissues, adrenal gland
What regulates cholesterol biosynthesis?
negative feedback mechanism controlled mostly by changes in the amt and activity of HMG CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase)
What is HMG CoA reductase inhibited by?
statins
What are the 4 ways to control HMG CoA reductase?
rate of synthesis of reductase mRNA, rate of translation of reductase mRNA, degradation of the reductase, and phosphorylation
explain how the rate of synthesis of reductase mRNA controls HMG CoA reductase
the process of making reductase mRNA is controlled by the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP). When cholesterol levels are low this transcription factor starts transcription of HMG CoA reductase.
What is the rate of translation of reductase mRNA inhibited by?
it is inhibited by nonsterol metabolites derived from mevalonate and dietary cholesterol
Why would reductase mRNA become degraded?
in response to increasing levels of cholesterol, the enzyme can undergo proteolysis
What does phosphorylation do to the activity of reductase?
it decreases the activity of reductase in response to low levels of ATP
cholesterol and triacylglycerols are transported in the form of ___________
lipoprotein particles
What are VLDLs?
cholesterol in excess of the liver’s own needs are exported to the blood in the form of Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDLs)
What are the precursors of LDLs?
VLDLs
What is the role of LDLs?
- they carry cholesterol esters, primarily linoleate
- they carry this cholesterol to peripheral tissues
- they regulate de novo cholestrol synthesis at these sites