This gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor of the Myc / Max / Mad superfamily.
This protein forms a heterodimeric complex and binds and activates, in a glucose-dependent manner, carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) motifs in the promoters of triglyceride synthesis genes.
[7] Chronically elevated blood glucose can activate ChREBP in the pancreas can lead to excessive lipid synthesis in beta cells, increasing lipid accumulation in those cells, leading to lipotoxicity, beta-cell apoptosis, and type 2 diabetes.
[11] ChREBP is translocated to the nucleus and binds to DNA after dephosphorylation of a p-Ser and a p-Thr residue by PP2A, which itself is activated by xylulose-5-phosphate.
In the liver, ChREBP mediates activation of several regulatory enzymes of glycolysis and lipogenesis including L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK), acetyl CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase.