Endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid dysregulation

Cellular cholesterol homeostasis is a fundamental and highly regulated process. Transcription factors known as sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) coordinate the expression of many genes involved in the biosynthesis and uptake of cholesterol. Dysregulation of SREBP activation and cellular lipid accumulation has been associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). This review will provide an overview of ER stress and the UPR as well as cholesterol homeostasis and SREBP regulation, with an emphasis on their interaction and biological relevance.