Hypoxia-inducible factor 1? activates insulin-induced gene 2 (Insig-2) transcription for degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase in the liver.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Cholesterol synthesis is a highly oxygen-consuming process. As such, oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) limits cholesterol synthesis through incompletely understood mechanisms mediated by the oxygen-sensitive transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1? (HIF-1?). We show here that HIF-1? links pathways for oxygen sensing and feedback control of cholesterol synthesis in human fibroblasts by directly activating transcription of the INSIG-2 gene. Insig-2 is one of two endoplasmic reticulum membrane proteins that inhibit cholesterol synthesis by mediating sterol-induced ubiquitination and subsequent endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of the rate-limiting enzyme in the pathway, HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR). Consistent with the results in cultured cells, hepatic levels of Insig-2 mRNA were enhanced in mouse models of hypoxia. Moreover, pharmacologic stabilization of HIF-1? in the liver stimulated HMGCR degradation via a reaction that requires the protein's prior ubiquitination and the presence of the Insig-2 protein. In summary, our results show that HIF-1? activates INSIG-2 transcription, leading to accumulation of Insig-2 protein, which binds to HMGCR and triggers its accelerated ubiquitination and degradation. These results indicate that HIF-mediated induction of Insig-2 and degradation of HMGCR are physiologically relevant events that guard against wasteful oxygen consumption and inappropriate cell growth during hypoxia.
SUBMITTER: Hwang S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5454117 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
ACCESS DATA