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Chunyan Zhao Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden

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Karin Dahlman-Wright Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 57 Huddinge, Sweden

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The liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that are activated by endogenous oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol. There are two isoforms of LXR, LXRα (NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2). Both LXRα and LXRβ regulate gene expression by binding to DNA sequences associated with target genes as heterodimers with isoforms of the retinoid X receptor (RXR), RXRα (NR2B1), RXRβ (NR2B2), and RXRγ (NR2B3). LXRs act as cholesterol sensors: when cellular oxysterols accumulate as a result of increasing concentrations of cholesterol, LXR induces the transcription of genes that protect cells from cholesterol overload. In this review, we summarize the roles of LXRs in controlling cholesterol homeostasis, including their roles in bile acid synthesis and metabolism/excretion, reverse cholesterol transport, cholesterol biosynthesis and uptake, and cholesterol absorption/excretion in the intestine. The overlapping and distinct roles of the LXRα and LXRβ isoforms, and the potential use of LXRs as attractive targets for treatment of cardiovascular disease are also discussed.

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Malin Hedengran Faulds
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Chunyan Zhao
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Karin Dahlman-Wright
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Jan-Åke Gustafsson Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 83 Huddinge, Sweden

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The metabolic syndrome is a complex condition characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, decreased high-density lipoproteins, and hypertension associated with high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A major increase in the incidence of developing metabolic syndrome and related diseases is observed worldwide in association with a change toward a less active lifestyle and increased food consumption. Estrogen and the estrogen receptors (ERs) are well-known regulators of several aspects of metabolism, including glucose and lipid metabolism, and impaired estrogen signaling is associated with the development of metabolic diseases. This review will describe the key effects of estrogen signaling in metabolic and glucose sensing tissues, including the liver, pancreatic β cells, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. The impact on metabolic processes of impaired estrogen signaling and knock out of each ER subtype will also be discussed.

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