title: Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two functional genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase.
abstract: We have isolated two genes from yeast encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase [hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (NADPH); HMG-CoA reductase; EC 1.1.1.34], the rate-limiting enzyme of sterol biosynthesis. These genes, HMG1 and HMG2, were identified by hybridization to a cDNA clone encoding hamster HMG-CoA reductase. DNA sequence analysis reveals homology between the amino acid sequence of the proteins encoded by the two yeast genes and the carboxyl-terminal half of the hamster protein. Cells containing mutant alleles of both HMG1 and HMG2 are unable to undergo spore germination and vegetative growth. However, cells containing a mutant allele of either HMG1 or HMG2 are viable but are more sensitive to compactin, a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, than are wild-type cells. Assays of HMG-CoA reductase activity in extracts from hmg1- and hmg2- mutants indicate that HMG1 contributes at least 83% of the activity found in wild-type cells.
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009154:Mutation; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D010957:Plasmids; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D009281:Naphthalenes; C012258:mevastatin; D008148:Lovastatin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases