Characterisation of a desmosterol reductase involved in phytosterol dealkylation in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

ABSTRACT: Most species of invertebrate animals cannot synthesise sterols de novo and many that feed on plants dealkylate phytosterols (mostly C(29) and C(28)) yielding cholesterol (C(27)). The final step of this dealkylation pathway involves desmosterol reductase (DHCR24)-catalysed reduction of desmosterol to cholesterol. We now report the molecular characterisation in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, of such a desmosterol reductase involved in production of cholesterol from phytosterol, rather than in de novo synthesis of cholesterol. Phylogenomic analysis of putative desmosterol reductases revealed the occurrence of various clades that allowed for the identification of a strong reductase candidate gene in Bombyx mori (BGIBMGA 005735). Following PCR-based cloning of the cDNA (1.6 kb) and its heterologous

SUBMITTER: Ciufo LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3124498 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature