Sterol metabolism and SREBP activation

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2010 Sep 15;501(2):177-81. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2010.06.004. Epub 2010 Jun 10.

Abstract

Cholesterol is one of the major components of membrane lipids. Adjustment of the membrane cholesterol balance is, therefore, pivotal in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake are tightly regulated at the transcriptional level through a negative feedback control. The transcription factor family known as sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) is in charge of this feedback control. In particular, SREBP-2 is activated in a cholesterol-dependent manner, and hence is deeply involved in regulation of the expression of genes closely related to cholesterol metabolism. Sterol metabolites, including cholesterol, 24,25-dihydrolanosterol and oxysterols, strongly participate in the regulation of sterol metabolism via binding to its particular proteins.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, HDL / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sterols / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • SREBP cleavage-activating protein
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins
  • Sterols
  • Cholesterol