[Bile acid biosynthesis and its regulation].
Bile acid biosynthesis is the main pathway of cholesterol catabolism. Bile acids are more soluble than cholesterol so are easier to excrete. As amphipathic molecules they participate in lipid digestion and absorption in the intestine and they help to excrete free cholesterol with bile. They are also ligands for nuclear receptors regulating the expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Interconversion of cholesterol into bile acids is an important point of its homeostasis. Seventeen enzymes are engaged in this process and many of them are cytochromes P450. Bile acid synthesis initiation may proceed with the "classical" pathway (starting with cholesterol hydroxylation at the C7α position) or the "alternative" pathway (starting with cholesterol hydroxylation at the C27 position). Two additional pathways are possible, though their quantitative significance is small (initiated with cholesterol hydroxylations of C24 and C25 positions). Oxysterols produced are not only intermediates of bile acid biosynthesis but also important regulators of metabolism. Bile acid biosynthesis takes place in the liver, but some enzymes are also present in other organs, where they participate in regulation of cholesterol metabolism. Those enzymes are potential targets for new drugs against cholesterol metabolism disturbances. This article is a brief description of the bile acid biosynthesis pathway and participating enzymes.
Katedra i Zakład Biochemii, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Gdańsk. areta@gumed.edu.pl
Areta
A
Hebanowska
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System