Abstract
The sterol regulatory element (SRE) is commonly found in the promoter region of genes that are down-regulated by an elevation of cellular cholesterol concentration. SRE-Binding proteins (SREBPs) were originally cloned as transcription factors binding to the SRE. Recent studies have shown that SREBPs not only regulate expression of cholesterol-metabolic enzyme genes, but also control expression of sugar and lipid-metabolic enzyme genes that are regulated by nutrients and hormones and are involved in fat metabolism, insulin-resistance, and diabetes mellitus.
