Induction of LDL receptor expression by extracellular-signal regulated kinase, ERK-1/2

摘要

Specific activation of the Raf-1/MEK/p42/44MAPK kinase cascade in HepG2 cells, independent of other "upstream" factors or cell growth regulation, leads to induction of LDL receptor transcription. The degree of p42/44MAPK activation determines the extent of LDL receptor induction. The present findings underscore the important and central role of the MAPK pathway in regulating low density lipoprotein receptor expression and may be of considerable potential significance for the development of new signal transduction-based approaches for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.