title: Role of the nuclear receptors for oxysterols LXRs in steroidogenic tissues: beyond the "foie gras", the steroids and sex?
abstract: Various physiological functions have been ascribed to the liver X receptors (LXRs). Recently, we have identified new functions of these nuclear receptors in steroidogenic tissues. In adrenal, LXRalpha prevents accumulation of free cholesterol in mouse by controlling expression of genes involved in all aspects of cholesterol utilization. Under chronic dietary stress, adrenals from LXR-deficient mice accumulate free cholesterol while wild-type animals maintain cholesterol homeostasis through basal regulation of cholesterol efflux and storage. Hence, LXRalpha provides a safety valve to limit free cholesterol levels as a basal protective mechanism in the adrenal. Beside, mice lacking LXRalpha show lower levels of testicular testosterone while wild-type mice treated with the specific LXR agonist present an increase of testosterone production. Altogether, these data identify new roles for LXRs, in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in steroidogenic tissues and hormone synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Physiologie Comparée et Endocrinologie Moléculaire (LXRs, Oxysterols and Steroidogenic Tissues), UMR CNRS 6547, Research Center for Human Nutrition-Avergne, 63177 Aubière Cedex, France.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Volle
authors.forename: Jean-Marc A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lobaccaro
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008297:Male; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; C000605214:Nr1h3 protein, mouse; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D013256:Steroids; D002784:Cholesterol; D005947:Glucose