Independent responsiveness of frog liver low-density lipoprotein receptor and HMGCoA reductase to estrogen treatment

Cholesterol metabolism in the female frog ex hibits circannual modifications which parallel plasma estrogen fluctuations. Estrogens enhance production and lipidation of the yolk precursor vitellogenin by inducing the transcription of its gene and by stimulating the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. The time dependence of the effects that these hormones have on HMGCoA reductase and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the liver of Rana esculenta complex has been investigated. Following estrogen treatment, the levels of LDL receptor mRNA and protein gradually increased, with a maximum concentration observed at 3 days. The HMGCoA reductase protein level increased progressively, while the mRNA level was not significantly modified. Thus the LDL receptor and HMGCoA reductase in frog behave independently after estrogen stimulation, as already reported to occur in the rat. This suggests a uncoordinated regulation that might be even partially related with the changes in cellular cholesterol content.