Abstract
Mevalonate is the product of the enzyme HMGCoA reductase(1). The key role of this enzyme in cellular metabolism is demonstrated by the fact that it is required for: 1) cholesterol synthesis, which is indispensable for cell membrane production, hence cell growth (2); 2) the biosynthesis of non-sterol compounds, such as ubiquinone necessary for cell survival (3); and 3) the biosynthesis of a precursor involved in the initial activation of DNA replication (4,5). Furthermore, it has been recently demonstrated that products of mevalonate metabolism,such as farnesyl, are required for “in vivo” activation of the proteins coded for by oncogenes (Ras proteins) (6).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Goldstein, J.L, and M.S. Brown. 1990. Regulation of the mevalonate pathway. Nature 343: 425–430.
Schafer, W.R., R. Kim, R. Sterne, J. Thorner, S-H. Kim, and J. Rine. 1989. Genetic and pharmacological suppression of oncogenic mutations in RAS genes of yeast and humans. Science 245: 379–384.
Maltese, W.A. 1984. Induction of differentiation in murine neuroblastoma cells by mevinolin, a competitive inhibitor of HMGCoA reductase. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 120: 454–460.
Maltese, W.A., R. Defendini, R.A. Green, K.M. Sheridan, and D.K. Donley. 1985. Suppression of murine neuroblastoma growth in vivo by mevinolin, a competitive inhibitor of HMGCoA reductase. J. Clin. Invest. 76: 1748–1754.
Yoshida, J., Kato, K., Wakabayashi, T., Enomoto, H., Inque, I., and Kageymama, N. 1987. Antitumor activity of ß interferon against malignant glioma in combination with chemotherapeutic agent of nitrosourea (ACNU). In The biology of the ß interferon system. editor Nijhoff, M., 399–406.
Maltese, W.A., J.J. Volpe,. 1979. Induction of an oligodendroglial enzyme in C-6 glioma cells maintained at high density or in serum-free medium. J. Cell. Physiol. 101. 459–470.
Soma M.R., Pagliarini P., Butti, G., Paoletti, R., Paoletti, P., Fumagalli R., 1991. Synergism of ß interferon and simvastatin in inhibiting human glioma cell proliferation. Pharmacol. Res. (in press)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Soma, M.R., Pagliarini, P., Butti, G., Paoletti, R., Paoletti, P., Fumagalli, R. (1991). Simvastatin, a blocker of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibits human glioma cell proliferation. In: Paoletti, P., Takakura, K., Walker, M.D., Butti, G., Pezzotta, S. (eds) Neuro-Oncology. Developments in Oncology, vol 66. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3152-0_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3152-0_22
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5390-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3152-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive