The activity of HMG-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in human apocrine sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles is regulated by phosphorylation and by exogenous cholesterol.

Human apocrine and sebaceous glands function to secrete lipids, predominantly triglycerides, fatty acids, cholesterol and its esters, and, in the sebaceous gland, squalene. The enzymes that catalyze the important regulatory steps in cholesterol and fatty acid biosyntheses, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, respectively, were therefore studied in isolated human skin appendages, and their relevant kinetic parameters determined. The enzyme activities that were observed can account for previously described rates of incorporation of radiolabeled substrates into the appropriate lipids by glands in vitro. Reduced enzyme activities following homogenization in the presence of fluoride indicated that both of these enzymes in skin appendages are inactivated by phosphorylation. The activity of the enzyme known to catalyze this phosphorylation, the AMP-activated protein kinase, was also measured. Compactin was shown to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in homogenates of these appendages. Conversely, incubation of whole sebaceous glands with compactin resulted in the stimulation of enzyme activity, which suggests that these appendages can respond to diminishing cholesterol levels. The effect of exogenous low density lipoprotein and 25-hydroxycholesterol on HMG-CoA reductase activity from skin appendages was investigated. HMG-CoA reductase activity in both apocrine and sebaceous glands was reduced following incubation with either low density lipoprotein or 25-hydroxycholesterol. Low density lipoprotein receptor and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression was also detected in skin appendages. These results indicate that apocrine and sebaceous glands have the capacity to sequester dietary cholesterol and fatty acids that may have important implications for the understanding of both acne and axillary odor.