This process increases gene expression for cholesterol and lipid synthesis.558,559 Researchers have found that reducing SCAP levels can enhance lipid clearance and reduce oxidative stress, thus helping prevent atherosclerosis.560 Zhang et al. discovered that lycorine promotes SCAP degradation via a novel lysosomal pathway by enhancing SCAP’s interaction with SQSTM1/p62. This evidence concerns the gene SQSTM1 and atherosclerosis.