Control of lipid metabolism by phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the SREBP family of transcription factors by SCF(Fbw7)

Cell Metab. 2005 Jun;1(6):379-91. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2005.04.010.

Abstract

The sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) family of transcription factors controls cholesterol and lipid metabolism. The nuclear forms of these proteins are rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but the signals and factors required for this are unknown. Here, we identify a phosphodegron in SREBP1a that serves as a recognition motif for the SCF(Fbw7) ubiquitin ligase. Fbw7 interacts with nuclear SREBP1a and enhances its ubiquitination and degradation in a manner dependent on the phosphorylation of T426 and S430 by GSK-3. Fbw7 also degrades nuclear SREBP1c and SREBP2, and inactivation of endogenous Fbw7 results in stabilization of nuclear SREBP1 and -2, enhanced expression of SREBP target genes, enhanced synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and enhanced receptor-mediated uptake of LDL. Thus, our results suggest that Fbw7 may be a major regulator of lipid metabolism through control of the phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the SREBP family of transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Multigene Family
  • Phosphorylation
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • SREBF1 protein, human
  • SREBF2 protein, human
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
  • Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Ubiquitin
  • SKP Cullin F-Box Protein Ligases
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3