Characterization of splice variants of the genes encoding human mitochondrial HMG-CoA lyase and HMG-CoA synthase, the main enzymes of the ketogenesis pathway

Mol Biol Rep. 2012 Apr;39(4):4777-85. doi: 10.1007/s11033-011-1270-8. Epub 2011 Sep 28.

Abstract

The genes HMGCS2 and HMGCL encode the two main enzymes for ketone-body synthesis, mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase and HMG-CoA lyase. Here, we identify and describe possible splice variants of these genes in human tissues. We detected an alternative transcript of HMGCS2 carrying a deletion of exon 4, and two alternative transcripts of HMGCL with deletions of exons 5 and 6, and exons 5, 6 and 7, respectively. All splice variants maintained the reading frame. However, Western blot studies and overexpression measurements in eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell models did not reveal HL or mHS protein variants. Both genes showed a similar distribution of the inactive variants in different tissues. Surprisingly, the highest percentages were found in tissues where almost no ketone bodies are synthesized: heart, skeletal muscle and brain. Our results suggest that alternative splicing might coordinately block the two main enzymes of ketogenesis in specific human tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Computational Biology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase / chemistry
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase / genetics*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Ketone Bodies / biosynthesis*
  • Mitochondria / enzymology*
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases / chemistry
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases / genetics*
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Ketone Bodies
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Synthase
  • Oxo-Acid-Lyases
  • 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase