Sterol regulatory element-binding protein SREBP-1 pathway activation

Fig. 12. Panel A Inhibitory effects of various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-lc promoter activity. EtOH, ethanol SA, saturated fatty acid OL, oleic acid LA, linoleic acid DHA, docosa-hexaenoic acid EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid AA, arachidonic acid. Panel B Mechanism by which polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress the SREBP-1 c promoter activity, through an effect on the liver X receptor (LXR)/9-c/s-retinoic acid receptor (RXR) activation pathway [redrawn from Yoshikawa etal. (129), reproduced with permission]. PUFA competitively interfere with binding of the endogenous ligand (possibly oxysterols) to LXR, thereby repressing LXR/RXR transactivity and SREBP-lc and lipogenic gene expression. Meanwhile, PUFA can bind and activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-a (PPARa) to induce 3-oxidation of fatty acids. PPRE PPAR response element LXRE LXR response element.

Several key enzymes in this pathway can be activated through DNA transcriptional regulation of SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1 and 2) [12]. Also, the regulation of this pathway can be achieved by controlling the rate of translation of the mRNA, as well as the level of reductase and kinase (degradation of reductase and phosphorylation). 

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