A 65-year-old man, who has been taking lovastatin to control his hypercholesterolemia, is found to have significantly reduced levels of glycoproteins in the plasma membranes of several cell types including red blood cells. The most likely cause of these changes in glycoprotein levels is a decrease in which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dolichol phosphate is involved in the glycosylation of proteins, a process necessary for the formation of glycoproteins. Lovastatin, a statin, inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol and other isoprenoids, including dolichol phosphate, leading to reduced glycoprotein levels.  Inhibition of de novo cholesterol biosynthesis with the use of statin drugs, such as lovastatin, leads to reduction in the synthesis of several isoprenoid compounds such as dolichol phosphate. The reduction in dolichol production leads to inhibition of the ability to effectively carry off N-linked glycosylation of many cellular proteins (see Chapter 34).

A 65-Year-Old Man, Who Has Been Taking Lovastatin to Control