Putative metabolic effects of the liver X receptor (LXR).
The nuclear receptors liver X receptor (LXR)alpha and LXRbeta are sensors of cholesterol metabolism and lipid biosynthesis. They have recently been found to be regulators of inflammatory cytokines, suppressors of hepatic glucose production, and involved in different cell-signaling pathways. LXRalpha is a target gene of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, a target of drugs used in treating elevated levels of glucose seen in diabetes. Furthermore, insulin induces LXRalpha in hepatocytes, resulting in increased expression of lipogenic enzymes and suppression of key enzymes in gluconeogenesis, including PEPCK. LXR seems to have an important role in the regulation of glucocorticoid action and a role in the overall energy homeostasis suggested by its putative regulatory effect on leptin and uncoupling protein 1. The physiological roles of LXR indicate that it is an interesting potential target for drug treatment of diabetes.
Steffensen
Knut R
KR
Department of Medical Nutrition and Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Gustafsson
Jan-Ake
JA
D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; C000605214:Nr1h3 protein, mouse; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear