The structure of the DHCR7 rat gene is very similar to the structure of the human gene.The highest levels of DHCR7 expression have been detected in the adrenal gland, the testis, the liver and in brain tissue. Its expression is induced by decreased sterol concentrations via sterol regulatory binding proteins (SREBP). There is also evidence that its activity may be regulated by tissue specific transcription, and alternative splicing.As outlined above, the enzyme DHCR7 catalyzes the reduction of 7DHC to cholesterol, as well as the reduction of 7-dehydrodesmosterol to desmosterol. It requires NADPH as a cofactor for this reduction, and may involve the activity of cytochrome-P450 oxidoreductase. It is also thought to contain iron. DHCR7 is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, and computer models have predicted up to nine transmembrane domains. DHCR7 is most efficient at reducing 7DHC, but it is known to reduce the carbon 7 double bond of other sterols, indicating a range of substrate specificity. The human version of this enzyme is predicted to have a molecular weight of 54,489 kDa, and an isoelectric point of 9.05.The amino acid sequence that encodes DHCR7 is predicted to contain 475 amino acids, as well as several protein motifs. It contains multiple sterol reductase motifs, as would be expected given its function. It contains a potential sterol-sensing domain (SSD), whose function is unknown but thought to be necessary for binding sterol substrates. It also includes multiple sites of phosphorylation, including potential protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase sites (regulatory enzymes responsible for phosphorylation).
Peginterferon beta-1a, sold under the brand name Plegridy, is medication used to treat multiple sclerosis. The most common side effects include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, influenza (flu)-like symptoms, pyrexia (fever), chills, asthenia (weakness), and erythema (reddening of the skin), pain or pruritus (itching) at the injection site.Peginterferon beta-1a was approved for medical use in the United States and in the European Union in 2014. Medical uses
In the United States peginterferon beta-1a is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.In the European Union peginterferon beta-1a is indicated for the treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in adults. References
External links
"Peginterferon beta-1a". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Plegridy at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)