PPM1K and Obesity: In addition, White et al. found that the transcription factor ChREBP can also promote BCKDK and inhibit PPM1K expression to inhibit BCKDH activation and promote ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) activation, upregulate the lipid synthesis pathway, and induce hepatic steatosis in the obesity model of high-sugar diet.68 Another study showed that knockout of BCAT 2 in white adipose tissue (WAT) confers resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity through browning of WAT and increased thermogenesis.