SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) is required for increased lipid synthesis in liver induced by cholesterol deprivation and insulin elevation

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) has been found to be necessary for increased lipid synthesis in liver brought on by cholesterol deprivation and insulin elevation. The SCAP gene was targeted by flanking exon1 with loxP sites, targets for bacteriophage P1Cre recombinase. Mice homozygous for the loxP-tagged SCAP allele were generated. They carry a transgene encoding Cre under control of the interferon-inducible MX1 promoter. The mice have a major lowering in synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids. They do not have normal increase in the processes in response to insulin or to cholesterol deprivation.