The liver X receptor (LXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors and is closely related to nuclear receptors such as the PPARs, FXR and RXR. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are important regulators of cholesterol, fatty acid, and glucosehomeostasis. LXRs were earlier classified as orphan nuclear receptors, however, upon discovery of endogenous oxysterols as ligands they were subsequently deorphanized.
Two isoforms of LXR have been identified and are referred to as LXRα and LXRβ. The liver X receptors are classified into subfamily 1 (thyroid hormone receptor-like) of the nuclear receptor superfamily, and are given the nuclear receptor nomenclature symbols NR1H3 (LXRα) and NR1H2 (LXRβ) respectively.
LXRα and LXRβ were discovered separately between 1994-1995. LXRα isoform was independently identified by two groups and initially named RLD-1[1] and LXR,[2] whereas four groups identified the LXRβ isoform and called it UR,[3] NER,[4] OR-1,[5] and RIP-15.[6] The human LXRα gene is located on chromosome 11p11.2, while the LXRβ gene is located on chromosome 19q13.3.
Expression
While the expression of LXRα and LXRβ in various tissues overlap the tissue distribution pattern of these two isoforms differ considerably. LXRα expression is restricted to liver, kidney, intestine, fat tissue, macrophages, lung, and spleen and is highest in liver, hence the name liver X receptor α (LXRα). LXRβ is expressed in almost all tissues and organs hence the early name UR (ubiquitous receptor).[7] The different pattern of expression suggests that LXRα and LXRβ have different roles in regulating physiological function.
Structure
Crystal structure of human liver X receptor β (LXRβ) forms a heterodimer with its partner retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) on its cognate element an AGGTCA direct repeat spaced by 4 nucleotides showing an extended X-shaped arrangement with DNA- and ligand-binding domains crossed. In contrast, the parallel domain arrangement of other NRs bind an AGGTCA direct repeat spaced by 1 nucleotide. The LXRβ core binds DNA via canonical contacts and auxiliary DNA contacts that enhance affinity for the response element.[8]
Crystal structure of human liver X receptor α (LXRα) also forms a heterodimer with its partner retinoid X receptor β (RXRβ). The LXRα-RXRβ heterodimer (PDB 1UHL) binds synthetic LXR oxysterol agonist T-0901317. The ligand-binding pocket predominantly consists of hydrophobic residues. The most critical residues to the binding pocket include E267, R305, H421, and W443. The binding pocket accommodates oxysterols of molecular volumes up to 400 Å3 and T-0901317 easily positions itself with a molecular volume of 304 Å3. H421 forms a hydrogen bond with T-0901317's hydroxyl head group which lowers the pKa of the H421 imidazole side chain. As a result, the imidazole side chain interacts electrostatically with π-electrons of W443's indole side chain to stabilize the active conformation of the helices.[9]
The phenyl group of T-0901317 extends toward the β-sheet side of the binding pocket and partially occupies it. The unoccupied section contains hydrophilic, polar residues E267 and R305. H421 and W443 anchor the 22-, 24-, or 27-hydroxyl group of an oxysterol to the binding pocket via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The conformational flexibility of R305 allows it to bind the 3-hydroxyl group and stabilize an oxysterol.[9]
The hexacyclic aromatic ketones, (-)anthrabenzoxocinone and (-)bischloroanthrabenzoxocinone ((-)-BABX) derived from a Streptomyces sp. have micromolar affinity for LXR-α.[16]
LXR-RXR nuclear receptor heterodimers function as transcriptional regulators for genes involved in lipid metabolism, lipid homeostasis, and inflammation.[9] Target genes of LXRs are involved in cholesterol and lipidmetabolism regulation,[17] including:
ABC – ATP Binding Cassette transporter isoforms A1, G1, G5, and G8
Aberrant LXR signaling in macrophages due to the oxidizedcholesterol 7-ketocholesterol promotes the inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis.[30] For this reason, 7-ketocholesterol is a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.[30]
When lipogenesis is increased by pharmacological activation of the liver X receptor, hepatic VLDL production is increased 2.5-fold, and the liver produces large TG-rich VLDL particles. Glucose induces expression of LXR target genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis like ABCA1 which is defective in Tangier disease. A common feature of many metabolic pathways is their control by retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers. LXR heterodimerises with RXR. Promiscuous RXR also heterodimerises with PPAR members. PPAR-α plays a pivotal role in fatty acid catabolism in liver by upregulating the expression of numerous genes involved in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Thus RXR is a common partner of two nuclear receptors acting in opposite directions with regard to fatty acid metabolism. So both LXR and PPAR-α compete for the limited pool of RXR and this dynamic equilibrium determines the direction of lipid metabolism.[31]
Developing new potent and effective LXR agonists without the undesirable side effects may be beneficial for clinical usage.[32] In this regard, DMHCA was reported to reduce atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice without inducing hypertriglyceridemia and liver steatosis.[27]
Alzheimer's disease
Treatment with T0901317 decreases amyloidal beta production in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.[33] However, both T0901317 and GW3965 have been reported to increase plasma and livertriglycerides in some mice models, indicating that T0901317 and GW3965 may not be a good candidate for a therapeutic agent.
Cancer
LXR agonists (T0901317, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol, and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol) were also shown to suppress the proliferation of prostate cancer and breast cancer cells[34] as well as delay progression of prostate cancer from androgen-dependent status to androgen-independent status.[35]
^Shinar DM, Endo N, Rutledge SJ, Vogel R, Rodan GA, Schmidt A (September 1994). "NER, a new member of the gene family encoding the human steroid hormone nuclear receptor". Gene. 147 (2): 273–6. doi:10.1016/0378-1119(94)90080-9. PMID7926814.
^Chuu CP, Kokontis JM, Hiipakka RA, Liao S (September 2007). "Modulation of liver X receptor signaling as novel therapy for prostate cancer". J. Biomed. Sci. 14 (5): 543–53. doi:10.1007/s11373-007-9160-8. PMID17372849.
^Lou X, Toresson G, Benod C, Suh JH, Philips KJ, Webb P, Gustafsson JA (March 2014). "Structure of the retinoid X receptor α-liver X receptor β (RXRα-LXRβ) heterodimer on DNA". Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. 21 (3): 277–81. doi:10.1038/nsmb.2778. PMID24561505. S2CID23226682.
^ abcHoerer S, Schmid A, Heckel A, Budzinski RM, Nar H (December 2003). "Crystal structure of the human liver X receptor beta ligand-binding domain in complex with a synthetic agonist". Journal of Molecular Biology. 334 (5): 853–61. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2003.10.033. PMID14643652. S2CID43844694.
^Song C, Hiipakka RA, Liao S (June 2001). "Auto-oxidized cholesterol sulfates are antagonistic ligands of liver X receptors: implications for the development and treatment of atherosclerosis". Steroids. 66 (6): 473–9. doi:10.1016/S0039-128X(00)00239-7. PMID11182136. S2CID11199331.