title: Functions of Cholesterol Metabolites.
abstract: Cholesterol is a major component of membrane lipids. Thus, adjusting the membrane cholesterol composition is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake by LDL receptors are tightly regulated at the transcriptional level through negative feedback control, which is mediated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). In particular, SREBP-2 is activated in a cholesterol-dependent manner and, thus, is significantly involved in regulating the expression of those genes associated with cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol metabolites such as oxysterols are involved in regulating sterol metabolism by binding to the nuclear receptor, liver X receptor (LXR). Cholesterol catabolites, i.e., bile acids, are agonists for another nuclear receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and a bile acid receptor, TGR5. Activated FXR regulates bile acid metabolism and TGR5 improves glucose metabolism through the actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo.
authors.forename: Ryuichiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D051782:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D051782:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 2; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated; C473772:GPBAR1 protein, human