Endogenous ligands for nuclear receptors: digging deeper.
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are hormone-sensing transcription factors that translate dietary or endocrine signals into changes in gene expression. Therefore, the adoption of orphan NRs through the identification of their endogenous ligands is a key element for our understanding of their biology. In this minireview, we give an update on recent progress in regard to endogenous ligands for a cluster of NRs with high sequence homology, namely peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ, Rev-erbα, and related receptors. This knowledge about the nature and physiology of these ligands may create new opportunities for therapeutic drug development.
Schupp
Michael
M
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition and Center for Cardiovascular Research, Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany. michael.schupp@charite.de
Lazar
Mitchell A
MA
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*
D008024:Ligands; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear