Endogenous bile acids are ligands for the nuclear receptor FXR/BAR

Haibo Wang, Jasmine Chen, Kevin Hollister, Lawrence C. Sowers, Barry M. Forman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1133 Scopus citations

Abstract

The major metabolic pathway for elimination of cholesterol is via conversion to bile acids. In addition to this metabolic function, bile acids also act as signaling molecules that negatively regulate their own biosynthesis. However, the precise nature of this signaling pathway has been elusive. We have isolated an endogenous biliary component (chenodeoxycholic acid) that selectively activates the orphan nuclear receptor, FXR. Structure- activity analysis defined a subset of related bile acid ligands that activate FXR and promote coactivator recruitment. Finally, we show that ligand- occupied FXR inhibits transactivation from the oxysterol receptor LXRα, a positive regulator of cholesterol degradation. We suggest that FXR (BAR) is the endogenous bile acid sensor and thus an important regulator of cholesterol homeostasis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)543-553
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular cell
Volume3
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Endogenous bile acids are ligands for the nuclear receptor FXR/BAR'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this