References
Query Results -- Details
MGI Accession ID: MGI:3576461
J Number: J:97836
Other Accession IDs:
Title: Decreased plasma cholesterol and hypersensitivity to statins in mice lacking Pcsk9.
Authors: Rashid S; Curtis DE; Garuti R; Anderson NN; Bashmakov Y; Ho YK; Hammer RE; Moon YA; Horton JD
Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume: 102
Issue: 15
Date: 2005 Apr 12
Year: 2005
Pages: 5374-9
Review Status: Peer Reviewed
Abstract:
PCSK9 encodes proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9a (PCSK9), a member of the proteinase K subfamily of subtilases. Missense mutations in PCSK9 cause an autosomal dominant form of hypercholesterolemia in humans, likely due to a gain-of-function mechanism because overexpression of either WT or mutant PCSK9 reduces hepatic LDL receptor protein (LDLR) in mice. Here, we show that livers of knockout mice lacking PCSK9 manifest increased LDLR protein but not mRNA. Increased LDLR protein led to increased clearance of circulating lipoproteins and decreased plasma cholesterol levels (46 mg/dl in Pcsk9(-/-) mice versus 96 mg/dl in WT mice). Statins, a class of drugs that inhibit cholesterol synthesis, increase expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), a transcription factor that activates both the Ldlr and Pcsk9 genes. Statin administration to Pcsk9(-/-) mice produced an exaggerated increase in LDLRs in liver and enhanced LDL clearance from plasma. These data demonstrate that PCSK9 regulates the amount of LDLR protein in liver and suggest that inhibitors of PCSK9 may act synergistically with statins to enhance LDLRs and reduce plasma cholesterol.
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