Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Proteins play an essential role in all living organisms. The manipulation of specific proteins has paved the way for multiple areas in biotechnology.
A study of cell lines has indicated that a former under-characterized protein in humans impacts cholesterol synthesis.
Cholesterol problems can pose a serious threat to the heart, hence keeping it in check is essential. Roughly 20% of our cholesterol is linked to our diet and the remainder is formed in the liver, intestines and brain. Cholesterol is a significant player in our body’s growth and development and a basic building block for our cell membranes and a vital precursor molecule.
In a study published in the Journal of Lipid Research, Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) demonstrating the protein ERG28 aids in organizing the molecular machinery required for cholesterol synthesis. Lead author of the study Isabelle Capell-Hattam, who recently completed a PhD at UNSW Science in cholesterol synthesis research, stated that the role of the discovered protein in cholesterol formation was not know on prior occasions, adding that they knew it was one of several auxiliary factors impacting mammalian cell cholesterol formation.
Capell-Hattam and a group of scientists in the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences analyzed cholesterol formation in human-derived cell lines having ERG28 knocked out. The group discovered the genetically modified cells formed between 60-80% less cholesterol in comparison to normal, healthy cells.
“When you knock out ERG28 in yeast, they stop producing sterol, and you see the precursor accumulate. So, that’s what we thought would happen in human cells,” she said.
Capell-Hattam further noted that its functions may have gone further to control a higher number of elements of human cholesterol synthesis. “Not only were our cells [without ERG28] struggling to produce cholesterol, but it appears to be impacting the transcription of the mRNA for cholesterol synthesis genes, “she said.
