Table 1.

Transcription factor, enzyme, receptors, and their associated genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and NAFLD.

Transcription Factor/Enzyme/Receptor	Related Gene	Cholesterol Metabolism	NAFL/NASH	References
SREBPs (SREBP-2)	SREBF1/SREBF2	Transcription factors activate genes that are involved in the synthesis of cholesterol, such as HMGCR, LDLR and MVK	Increases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[64] [47]
HMG-CoA	HMGCR	Converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an enzyme that limits cholesterol biosynthesis	Increases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[65] [51]
LDLR	LDLR	Receptor; binds to LDL particles, which serve as the main carrier of cholesterol in the blood	Decrease gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[66] [51]
MVK	MVK	Catalyzes the phosphorylation of mevalonate to mevalonate 5 phosphate, a key step in cholesterol biosynthesis	Increases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[67] [65] [51]
SCAP	SCAP	Part of the SREBP–SCAP complex that causes translocation of SREBP from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, resulting in the regulation of cholesterol levels	No data. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[68]
AMPK	α—PRKAA1, PRKAA2 β—PRKAB1, PRKAB2 γ—PRKAG1, PRKAG2, PRKAG3	A kinase-type enzyme that plays a role in cells’ energy homeostasis, causes the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, inhibits cholesterol and triglyceride, consists of several subunits	Decreases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[68,69]
ABCA1	ABCA1	Transporter, cholesterol-efflux mediator for apolipoprotein (apoA-I), maintains cholesterol homeostasis in the body	Decreases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[70] [51,70]
ABCG1	ABCG1	Transporter, excess cholesterol flows from the cells to HDL particles, resulting in reverse cholesterol transport, and considered the only factor that removes cholesterol from the body	Decreases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[71] [51]
CYP7A1	CYP7A1	A receptor that accelerates the initial step in cholesterol catabolism and bile acid synthesis	Increases gene expression levels. NAFLD progression and deterioration	[72] [51]