SMURF1 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: The HECT E3 ligase SMURF1 was found to target the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a lipid-sensing nuclear receptor with established role in NAFLD pathogenesis, in order to suppress its transcriptional activity in hepatocytes and balance the PPARγ-mediated fatty acid uptake and lipid synthesis, thereby inhibiting steatosis125 (Fig. 5a).