title: HMG-CoA reductase mediates the biological effects of retinoic acid on human neuroblastoma cells: lovastatin specifically targets P-glycoprotein-expressing cells.
abstract: The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, involved in de novo cholesterol synthesis and cell-cycle progression, was identified as a potential mediator of the growth inhibitory effects of retinoic acid on human neuroblastoma. Lovastatin, a nonreversible inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, induced extensive cytotoxicity that was restricted to drug-resistant P-glycoprotein-expressing neuroblastoma cell lines. This response was potentiated by dibutyryl cyclic AMP but not retinoic acid. Patients with advanced-stage metastatic neuroblastoma often display an acquired chemoresistant phenotype, which may in part be mediated by P-glycoprotein. Our studies support the application or use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of these patients who are refractory to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dimitroulakos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yeger
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D017931:DNA Primers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014212:Tretinoin; D003994:Bucladesine; D008148:Lovastatin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases