Figure 1.

Summary of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c)-dependent mechanisms in the effects of caloric restriction (CR) in white adipose tissue (WAT). CR upregulates SREBP-1c, possibly via the suppression of leptin signaling. Upregulation of SREBP-1c enhances fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis and activates mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant capacity through the action of proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), by binding sterol regulatory element (SRE) in the promoter region of genes involved in these processes. This causes metabolic remodeling in WAT, which contributes to the anti-aging and pro-longevity effects of CR. Red arrows and blue arrows mean “upregulation” and “downregulation”, respectively.