The potential role of sterol regulatory element binding protein transcription factors in renal injury.

The disturbed lipid metabolism is a permanent finding in renal failure. It is supposed to be a main reason for the accelerated atherosclerosis and high cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality of patients with renal failure. Sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are the transcription factors involved in the regulation of lipid homeostasis. They are responsible for the transcription activation of genes associated with the synthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. SREBP-1 gene expression in adipose tissue and SREBP-2 in liver are significantly elevated in renal failure. This is accompanied with the up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes of both fatty acids and cholesterol synthesis and significant serum lipid enhancement. Moreover, it has been shown that a destructive accumulation of lipids in the kidney structures is associated with enhanced kidney SREBP gene expression and increased lipid production. This was found even in the absence of any abnormalities in serum lipids. One may suppose that SREBP transcription factors play an important role in disturbed lipid metabolism in renal failure.