Minoxidil specifically decreases the expression of lysine hydroxylase in cultured human skin fibroblasts

Minoxidil, a drug used to treat hair loss, was found to specifically decrease the amount of lysine hydroxylase protein in cultured human skin fibroblasts. This decrease is due to a decrease in its synthesis at a pretranslational level, as minoxidil markedly decreases the amount of lysine hydroxylase mRNA. The decrease in the lysine hydroxylase mRNA appeared to be highly specific, as no changes were seen in the amounts of mRNAs for the a- or B-subunits of proline 4-hydroxylase or for y-actin.