UC Berkeley

Key PointsLipogenic genes are coordinately regulated at the transcriptional level during the fasting–feeding cycle and by circadian rhythms.Having common features at their promoter regions, lipogenic genes are coordinately regulated. Transcription factors such as upstream stimulatory factors (USFs), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C (SREBP1C), liver X receptors (LXRs) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) have crucial roles.Post-translational modifications of lipogenic transcription factors and co-regulators by hormones and nutrients are tightly regulated by several signalling pathways. Various kinases–phosphatases, including DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA–PK), atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and AKT–mTOR, and acetyltransferase–deacetylases such as p300, affect their function, stability and/or localization.Chromatin remodelling by histone acetylation and methylation, as well as recruitment of the lipoBAF complex, have crucial roles in lipogenic gene transcription.Dysregulation of lipogenesis can contribute to hepatosteatosis, which is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Furthermore, persistent lipogenesis during insulin resistance may occur, owing to nutrient fluxes to the liver.