Degradation Of HMG-CoA Reductase Research Articles

Usa1 Functions as a Scaffold of the HRD-Ubiquitin Ligase

Protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum is of central importance for cellular homeostasis in eukaryotes. Crucial for this process is the HRD-ubiquitin ligase (HMG-CoA reductase degradation), which singles out terminally misfolded proteins and routes them for degradation to cytoplasmic 26S-proteasomes. Certain functions of this enzyme complex are allocated to defined subunits. However, it remains unclear how these components act in a concerted manner. Here, we show that Usa1 functions as a major scaffold protein of the HRD-ligase. For the turnover of soluble substrates, Der1 binding to the C terminus of Usa1 is required. The N terminus of Usa1 associates with Hrd1 and thus bridges Der1 to Hrd1. Strikingly, the Usa1 N terminus also induces oligomerization of the HRD complex, which is an exclusive prerequisite for the degradation of membrane proteins. Our data demonstrate that scaffold proteins are required to adapt ubiquitin ligase activities toward different classes of substrates.

Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate Is a Potent Regulator of HRD-dependent 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Degradation in Yeast

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase (HMGR), the rate-limiting enzymes of sterol synthesis, undergoes feedback-regulated endoplasmic reticulum degradation in both mammals and yeast. The yeast Hmg2p isozyme is subject to ubiquitin-mediated endoplasmic reticulum degradation by the HRD pathway. We had previously shown that alterations in cellular levels of the 15-carbon sterol pathway intermediate farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) cause increased Hmg2p ubiquitination and degradation. We now present evidence that the FPP-derived, 20-carbon molecule geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) is a potent endogenous regulator of Hmg2p degradation. This work was launched by the unexpected observation that GGPP addition directly to living yeast cultures caused high potency and specific stimulation of Hmg2p degradation. This effect of GGPP was not recapitulated by FPP, GGOH, or related isoprenoids. GGPP-caused Hmg2p degradation met all the criteria for the previously characterized endogenous signal. The action of added GGPP did not require production of endogenous sterol molecules, indicating that it did not act by causing the build-up of an endogenous pathway signal. Manipulation of endogenous GGPP by several means showed that naturally made GGPP controls Hmg2p stability. Analysis of the action of GGPP indicated that the molecule works upstream of retrotranslocation and can directly alter the structure of Hmg2p. We propose that GGPP is the FPP-derived regulator of Hmg2p ubiquitination. Intriguingly, the sterol-dependent degradation of mammalian HMGR is similarly stimulated by the addition of GGOH to intact cells, implying that a dependence on 20-carbon geranylgeranyl signals may be a common conserved feature of HMGR regulation that may lead to highly specific therapeutic approaches for modulation of HMGR.

Membrane topology of human NPC1L1, a key protein in enterohepatic cholesterol absorption

The Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) is a predicted polytopic membrane protein that is critical for cholesterol absorption. NPC1L1 takes up free cholesterol into cells through vesicular endocytosis. Ezetimibe, a clinically used cholesterol absorption inhibitor, blocks the endocytosis of NPC1L1 thereby inhibiting cholesterol uptake. Human NPC1L1 is a 1,332-amino acid protein with a putative sterol-sensing domain (SSD) that shows sequence homo-logy to HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), and SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP). Here, we use protease protection and immunofluorescence in selectively permeabilized cells to study the topology of human NPC1L1. Our data indicate that NPC1L1 contains 13 transmembrane helices. The NH2-terminus of NPC1L1 is in the lumen while the COOH-terminus projects to the cytosol. human NPC1L1 contains seven small cytoplasmic loops--four small and three large luminal loops--one of which has been reported to bind ezetimibe. Ezetimibe-glucuronide, the major metabolite of ezetimibe in vivo, can block the internalization of NPC1L1 and cholesterol. The membrane topology of NPC1L1 is similar to that of NPC1, and the putative SSD of NPC1L1 is oriented in the same manner as those of HMGCR, NPC1, and SCAP. The defined topology of NPC1L1 provides necessary information for further dissecting the functions of the different domains of NPC1L1.

Sterol Regulated Ubiquitination and Degradation of HMG CoA Reductase

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein HMG CoA reductase catalyzes reduction of HMG CoA to mevalonate, a rate‐determining step in synthesis of cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids such as the farnesyl and geranylgeranyl groups that become attached to many proteins. Reductase is subject to stringent feedback control through multiple mechanisms that are mediated by sterol and nonsterol end‐products of mevalonate metabolism. The current focus of research in the DeBose‐Boyd laboratory centers on the mechanism involving rapid degradation of reductase. My presentation will describe studies in which biochemical and genetic tools were used to reveal a prominent role for ER membrane proteins called Insig‐1 and Insig‐2 in reductase degradation. These studies show that accumulation of sterols triggers binding of reductase to a subset of Insigs in complex with the membrane‐bound E3 ubiquitin ligase gp78. This gp78‐Insig interaction mediates reductase ubiquitination, which marks the enzyme for degradation by proteasomes. Regulated degradation reduces the half‐life of reductase protein from 12 h in sterol‐depleted cells to less than 1 h under sterol‐replete conditions, thereby blunting cholesterol synthesis. Reductase is the molecular target of statins, the most widely used drugs for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of atherosclerosis. Degradation of reductase is an untapped avenue for clinical modulation. Thus, detailed elucidation of mechanisms for reductase degradation holds promise for development of drugs that reduce cholesterol levels and ultimately, the incidence of heart attacks.

Insig Regulates HMG-CoA Reductase by Controlling Enzyme Phosphorylation in Fission Yeast

Insig functions as a central regulator of cellular cholesterol homeostasis by controlling activity of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) in cholesterol synthesis. Insig both accelerates the degradation of HMGR and suppresses HMGR transcription through the SREBP-Scap pathway. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes homologs of Insig, HMGR, SREBP, and Scap, called ins1(+), hmg1(+), sre1(+), and scp1(+). Here, we characterize fission yeast Insig and demonstrate that Ins1 is dedicated to regulation of Hmg1, but not the Sre1-Scp1 pathway. Using a sterol-sensing domain mutant of Hmg1, we demonstrate that Ins1 binding to Hmg1 inhibits enzyme activity by promoting phosphorylation of the Hmg1 active site, which increases the K(M) for NADPH. Ins1-dependent phosphorylation of Hmg1 requires the MAP kinase Sty1/Spc1, and Hmg1 phosphorylation is physiologically regulated by nutrient stress. Thus, in fission yeast, Insig regulates sterol synthesis by a different mechanism than in mammalian cells, controlling HMGR phosphorylation in response to nutrient supply.

Feedback regulation of cholesterol synthesis: sterol-accelerated ubiquitination and degradation of HMG CoA reductase

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase produces mevalonate, an important intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol and essential nonsterol isoprenoids. The reductase is subject to an exorbitant amount of feedback control through multiple mechanisms that are mediated by sterol and nonsterol end-products of mevalonate metabolism. Here, I will discuss recent advances that shed light on one mechanism for control of reductase, which involves rapid degradation of the enzyme. Accumulation of certain sterols triggers binding of reductase to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane proteins called Insig-1 and Insig-2. Reductase-Insig binding results in recruitment of a membrane-associated ubiquitin ligase called gp78, which initiates ubiquitination of reductase. This ubiquitination is an obligatory reaction for recognition and degradation of reductase from ER membranes by cytosolic 26S proteasomes. Thus, sterol-accelerated degradation of reductase represents an example of how a general cellular process (ER-associated degradation) is used to control an important metabolic pathway (cholesterol synthesis).

Geranylgeraniol suppresses the proliferation of murine melanoma cells and human prostate tumor cells

The rate‐limiting activity of the mevalonate pathway, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, provides essential intermediates for the prenylation or dolichylation of growth‐related proteins including nuclear lamins, Ras and growth factor receptors. A diterpene geranylgeraniol accelerates HMG CoA reductase degradation and suppresses the growth of human liver, lung, ovary, pancreas, colon, stomach, and blood tumors. We evaluated geranylgeraniol in murine and human cells. Geranylgeraniol induced dose‐dependent suppression of the cell proliferation following 48 (murine B16 melanoma) or 72 (human DU145 prostate carcinoma) h incubations in 96‐well plates. Cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, manifested by a dose‐dependent increase in G1/S ratio, and apoptosis detected by fluorescence microscopy following acridine orange and ethidium bromide dual staining, contribute to the growth suppression in DU145 cells. The impact of geranylgeraniol on B16 cell proliferation was attenuated by supplemental mevalonate. Geranylgeraniol also attenuated the growth of human LNCaP prostate carcinoma and PC‐3 prostate adenocarcinoma cells. Mouse 3T3‐L1 fibroblasts were more resistant than B16 cells to geranylgeraniol. The differential sensitivity between neoplastic and normal cells points to the potential application of geranylgeraniol to cancer prevention. TDA, TWU REP & Summer Stipend Award.

Regulation of Sterol Synthesis in Eukaryotes

Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes and is required for proper membrane permeability, fluidity, organelle identity, and protein function. Cells maintain sterol homeostasis by multiple feedback controls that act through transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. The membrane-bound transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) is the principal regulator of both sterol synthesis and uptake. In mammalian cells, the ER membrane protein Insig has emerged as a key component of homeostatic regulation by controlling both the activity of SREBP and the sterol-dependent degradation of the biosynthetic enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the regulation of sterol synthesis. A comparative analysis of SREBP and HMG-CoA reductase regulation in mammals, yeast, and flies points toward an equilibrium model for how lipid signals regulate the activity of sterol-sensing proteins and their downstream effectors.

Identification of SVIP as an Endogenous Inhibitor of Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation

Misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are eliminated by a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD), which starts with misfolded protein recognition, followed by ubiquitination, retrotranslocation to the cytosol, deglycosylation, and targeting to the proteasome for degradation. Actions of multisubunit protein machineries in the ER membrane integrate these steps. We hypothesized that regulation of the multisubunit machinery assembly is a mechanism by which ERAD activity is regulated. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the potential regulatory role of the small p97/VCP-interacting protein (SVIP) on the formation of the ERAD machinery that includes ubiquitin ligase gp78, AAA ATPase p97/VCP, and the putative channel Derlin1. We found that SVIP is anchored to microsomal membrane via myristoylation and co-fractionated with gp78, Derlin1, p97/VCP, and calnexin to the ER. Like gp78, SVIP also physically interacts with p97/VCP and Derlin1. Overexpression of SVIP blocks unassembled CD3delta from association with gp78 and p97/VCP, which is accompanied by decreases in CD3delta ubiquitination and degradation. Silencing SVIP expression markedly enhances the formation of gp78-p97/VCP-Derlin1 complex, which correlates with increased degradation of CD3delta and misfolded Z variant of alpha-1-antitrypsin, established substrates of gp78. These results suggest that SVIP is an endogenous inhibitor of ERAD that acts through regulating the assembly of the gp78-p97/VCP-Derlin1 complex.

Ufd1 Is a Cofactor of gp78 and Plays a Key Role in Cholesterol Metabolism by Regulating the Stability of HMG-CoA Reductase

The membrane-anchored ubiquitin ligase gp78 promotes degradation of misfolded endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins and sterol-regulated degradation of HMG-CoA reductase. It was known previously that Ufd1 plays a critical role in ER-associated degradation (ERAD) together with Npl4 and VCP. The VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complex recognizes polyubiquitin chains and transfers the ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome. Here we show that Ufd1 directly interacts with gp78 and functions as a cofactor. Ufd1 enhances the E3 activity of gp78, accelerates the ubiquitination and degradation of reductase, and eventually promotes receptor-mediated uptake of low-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the monoubiquitin-binding site in Ufd1 is required for the enhancement of gp78 activity and that the polyubiquitin-binding site in Ufd1 is critical for a postubiquitination step in ERAD. In summary, our study identifies Ufd1 as a cofactor of gp78, reveals an unappreciated function of Ufd1 in the ubiquitination reaction during ERAD, and illustrates that Ufd1 plays a critical role in cholesterol metabolism.

Mutations within the membrane domain of HMG-CoA reductase confer resistance to sterol-accelerated degradation

The pivotal event for sterol-induced degradation of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme HMG-CoA reductase is binding of its membrane domain to Insig proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. Insigs are carriers for gp78, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that marks reductase for proteasomal degradation. We report here the isolation of mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines, designated SRD-16, -17, and -18, in which sterol-induced ubiquitination and degradation of reductase are severely impaired. These cells were produced by chemical mutagenesis and selection with SR-12813, a compound that mimics sterols in stimulating ubiquitination and degradation of reductase. Each SRD cell line was found to contain a point mutation in one reductase allele, resulting in substitutions of aspartate for serine-60 (SRD-16), arginine for glycine-87 (SRD-17), and proline for alanine-333 (SRD-18). Sterols failed to promote ubiquitination and degradation of these reductase mutants, owing to their decreased affinity for Insigs. Thus, three different point mutations in reductase, all of which localize to the membrane domain, disrupt Insig binding and abolish sterol-accelerated degradation of the enzyme.

Apomine™, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA-reductase, promotes apoptosis of myeloma cells in vitro and is associated with a modulation of myeloma in vivo

Apomine, a novel 1,1 bisphosphonate ester, increases the rate of degradation of HMG-CoA reductase, inhibiting the mevalonate pathway and thereby blocking cholesterol biosynthesis. We have investigated whether Apomine can induce myeloma cell apoptosis in vitro and modulate myeloma disease in vivo. Apomine induced a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis in NCI H929, RPMI 8226 and JJN-3 human myeloma cells. Apomine, unlike the bisphosphonate, alendronate, had no measurable effect on osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro. To investigate the effect of Apomine in vivo, 5T2MM murine myeloma cells were injected into C57BL/KaLwRij mice. After 8 weeks all animals had a serum paraprotein and were treated with Apomine (200 mg/kg), or vehicle, for 4 weeks. Animals injected with 5T2MM cells and treated with vehicle developed osteolytic bone lesions, reduced cancellous bone area, decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased osteoclast number. Apomine caused a decrease in serum paraprotein and a decrease in tumor burden. Apomine inhibited the development of osteolytic lesions and prevented the tumor-induced decreases in BMD. Apomine had no effect on osteoclast number in contrast to what had been seen previously with the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, suggesting that these are direct effects of Apomine on myeloma cells. This demonstrates that Apomine is able to promote myeloma cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit the development of multiple myeloma and lytic bone disease in vivo. The use of bisphosphonate esters such as Apomine represents a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of myeloma and, indirectly, the associated bone disease.

Insig-dependent Ubiquitination and Degradation of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Stimulated by δ- and γ-Tocotrienols

Sterol-regulated ubiquitination marks 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a rate-determining enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation by 26 S proteasomes. This degradation, which results from sterol-induced binding of reductase to ER membrane proteins called Insigs, contributes to the complex, multivalent feedback regulation of the enzyme. Degradation of HMG-CoA reductase is also stimulated by various forms of vitamin E, a generic term for alpha-, beta-, delta-, and gamma-tocopherols and tocotrienols, which are primarily recognized for their potent antioxidant activity. Here, we show that delta-tocotrienol stimulates ubiquitination and degradation of reductase and blocks processing of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), another sterol-mediated action of Insigs. The gamma-tocotrienol analog is more selective in enhancing reductase ubiquitination and degradation than blocking SREBP processing. Other forms of vitamin E neither accelerate reductase degradation nor block SREBP processing. In vitro assays indicate that gamma- and delta-tocotrienol trigger reductase ubiquitination directly and do not require further metabolism for activity. Taken together, these results provide a biochemical mechanism for the hypocholesterolemic effects of vitamin E that have been observed in animals and humans.

Severe facial clefting in Insig-deficient mouse embryos caused by sterol accumulation and reversed by lovastatin.

Insig-1 and Insig-2 are regulatory proteins that restrict the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway by preventing proteolytic activation of SREBPs and by enhancing degradation of HMG-CoA reductase. Here, we created Insig-double-knockout (Insig-DKO) mice that are homozygous for null mutations in Insig-1 and Insig-2. After 18.5 days of development, 96% of Insig-DKO embryos had defects in midline facial development, ranging from cleft palate (52%) to complete cleft face (44%). Middle and inner ear structures were abnormal, but teeth and skeletons were normal. The animals were lethargic and runted; they died within 1 day of birth. The livers and heads of Insig-DKO embryos overproduced sterols, causing a marked buildup of sterol intermediates. Treatment of pregnant mice with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin reduced sterol synthesis in Insig-DKO embryos and reduced the pre-cholesterol intermediates. This treatment ameliorated the clefting syndrome so that 54% of Insig-DKO mice had normal faces, and only 7% had cleft faces. We conclude that buildup of pre-cholesterol sterol intermediates interferes with midline fusion of facial structures in mice. These findings have implications for the pathogenesis of the cleft palate component of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and other human malformation syndromes in which mutations in enzymes catalyzing steps in cholesterol biosynthesis produce a buildup of sterol intermediates.

INSIG: a broadly conserved transmembrane chaperone for sterol-sensing domain proteins

INSIGs are proteins that underlie sterol regulation of the mammalian proteins SCAP (SREBP cleavage activating protein) and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR). The INSIGs perform distinct tasks in the regulation of these effectors: they promote ER retention of SCAP, but ubiquitin-mediated degradation of HMGR. Two questions that arise from the discovery and study of INSIGs are: how do they perform these distinct tasks, and how general are the actions of INSIGs in biology? We now show that the yeast INSIG homologs NSG1 and NSG2 function to control the stability of yeast Hmg2p, the HMGR isozyme that undergoes regulated ubiquitination. Yeast Nsgs inhibit degradation of Hmg2p in a highly specific manner, by directly interacting with the sterol-sensing domain (SSD)-containing transmembrane region. Nsg1p functions naturally to limit degradation of Hmg2p when both proteins are at native levels, indicating a long-standing functional interplay between these two classes of proteins. One way to unify the known, disparate actions of INSIGs is to view them as known adaptations of a chaperone dedicated to SSD-containing client proteins.

Gp78, a Membrane-Anchored Ubiquitin Ligase, Associates with Insig-1 and Couples Sterol-Regulated Ubiquitination to Degradation of HMG CoA Reductase

Sterol-regulated ubiquitination is an obligatory step in ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of HMG CoA reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Accelerated degradation of reductase, one of several strategies animal cells use to limit production of cholesterol, requires sterol-induced binding of the enzyme to ER membrane proteins called Insigs. Once formed, the reductase-Insig complex is recognized by a putative membrane-associated ubiquitin ligase (E3) that mediates the reductase ubiquitination reaction. Here, we show that gp78, a membrane bound E3, binds to Insig-1 and is required for sterol-regulated ubiquitination of reductase. In addition, gp78 couples regulated ubiquitination to degradation of reductase by binding to VCP, an ATPase that plays a key role in recognition and degradation of ERAD substrates. The current results identify gp78 as the E3 that initiates sterol-accelerated degradation of reductase, and Insig-1 as a bridge between gp78/VCP and the reductase substrate.

Insig-mediated degradation of HMG CoA reductase stimulated by lanosterol, an intermediate in the synthesis of cholesterol

Feedback control of cholesterol synthesis is mediated in part by sterol-induced binding of HMG CoA reductase to Insig proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Binding leads to ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of reductase, a rate-controlling enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Using in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that lanosterol, the first sterol intermediate in cholesterol synthesis, potently stimulates ubiquitination of reductase, whereas cholesterol has no effect at 10-fold higher concentrations. Lanosterol is not effective in mediating the other action of Insigs, namely to promote ER retention of SCAP-SREBP complexes, a reaction that is mediated directly by cholesterol. A pair of methyl groups located in the C4 position of lanosterol confers this differential response. These data indicate that buildup of cholesterol synthesis intermediates represses the pathway selectively at reductase and reveal a previously unappreciated link between feedback inhibition of reductase and carbon flow through the cholesterol synthetic pathway.

Lipid-mediated, reversible misfolding of a sterol-sensing domain protein

Cellular quality control requires recognition of common features of misfolding, and so is not typically associated with the specific targeting of individual proteins. However, physiologically regulated degradation of yeast HMG-CoA reductase (Hmg2p) occurs by the HRD endoplasmic reticulum quality control pathway, implying that Hmg2p undergoes a regulated transition to a quality control substrate in response to a sterol pathway molecule. Using in vitro structural assays, we now show that the pathway derivative farnesol causes Hmg2p to undergo a change to a less folded structure. The effect is reversible, biologically relevant by numerous criteria, highly specific for farnesol structure, and requires an intact Hmg2p sterol-sensing domain. This represents a distinct lipid-sensing function for this highly conserved motif that suggests novel approaches to cholesterol management. More generally, our observation of reversible small-molecule-mediated misfolding may herald numerous examples of regulated quality control to be discovered in biology or applied in the clinic.

Regulation and degradation of HMGCo-A reductase

The enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) controls the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis are critical health risk factors. One way of controlling these risk factors is to manipulate regulation as well as degradation of HMGR. At present, a class of compounds called statins, which are HMGR inhibitors, are used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. However, statins suffer major setbacks as their use produces more adverse reactions than the desirable one of inhibiting the enzyme. Genetically engineered forms of HMGR are also studied in primitive life forms like bacteria, but detailed investigation of this enzyme in human systems is certainly required. Extensive studies have been made on the regulatory aspects of this enzyme, but no breakthrough is conspicuous in the clinical background to find an alternative treatment for hypercholesterolemia. The immediate need is to find an alternate way of regulating degradation of the enzyme. This review presents the importance of regulation and degradation of the HMGR enzyme in different systems to gain possible insight into alternative schemes for regulating this enzyme and, if these exist, the feasibility of extending them same to studies in mammalian systems. A high degree of similarity exists between mammalian and yeast HMGR. Detailed studies reported on the regulation and degradation of the yeast enzyme also throw more light on the mammalian system, leading to a better understanding of ways of controlling hypercholesterolemia.

Ubiquitination of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase in Permeabilized Cells Mediated by Cytosolic E1 and a Putative Membrane-bound Ubiquitin Ligase

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, catalyzes the production of mevalonate, a rate-controlling step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Excess sterols promote ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of reductase as part of a negative feedback regulatory mechanism. To characterize the process in more detail, we here report the development of a permeabilized cell system that supports reductase ubiquitination stimulated by the addition of sterols in vitro. Sterol-dependent ubiquitination of reductase in permeabilized cells is dependent upon exogenous cytosol, ATP, and either Insig-1 or Insig-2, two membrane-bound ER proteins shown previously to mediate sterol regulation of reductase degradation in intact cells. Oxysterols, but not cholesterol, promote reductase ubiquitination under our conditions. Finally, we show that ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) can efficiently replace cytosol to ubiquitinate reductase in response to sterol treatment, suggesting that other molecules required for ubiquitination of reductase, such as the ubiquitin-conjugating and -ligating enzymes (E2 and E3), are localized to ER membranes.