GSE123312
SR9009 has REV-ERB-independent effects on cell proliferation and metabolism
The nuclear receptors (NRs) REV-ERBa and ß, encoded by Nr1d1 and Nr1d2, link circadian rhythms and metabolism. REV-ERB lacks the canonical NR activation domain, and thus functions as a transcriptional repressor. Like other NRs, REV-ERBs can be regulated by ligands, including naturally occurring heme, which potentiate their repressive activity. Attempts to pharmacologically target REV-ERBs by the use of putatively specific synthetic agonists, particularly SR90096, have suggested a wide range of beneficial effects in healthy as well as diseased animal models and cell systems. For instance, Sulli et al. recently reported that REV-ERB activation by SR9009 is specifically lethal to cancer (stem) cells but not other cell types. Because REV-ERBs are core components of the molecular clock, the results were interpreted as a link between the body's circadian timekeeping system and cancer. Moreover, increased energy expenditure after SR9009 administration decreases obesity in mice, and the reported activity of SR9009 as an exercise mimetic in skeletal muscle have resulted in online sales of the compound as a performance-enhancing drug, with advertisements reassuringly highlighting REV-ERBs as the molecular target (https://www.evolutionary.org/stenabolic-sr9009-review; https://www.simplyanabolics.com/sarms/sr9009-stenabolic/). Overall design: Mouse hepatocytes were derived from 10-week-old male REV-ERBab double floxed animals two weeks after AAV8-TBG-Cre-GFP (vs AAV8-TBG-GFP as a control) injection. Hepatocytes were treated with DMSO vs SR9009 for 8 hours.