Orphan Nuclear Receptors as eLiXiRs and FiXeRs of Sterol Metabolism

With the recent characterizations of several nuclear orphan receptors, an emerging theme has developed placing these receptors as master regulators of lipid metabolism. The identification of the oxysterol receptors (LXRs) and a bile acid receptor (FXR) has opened up new and exciting fields of research in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. Understanding the physiological pathways that these receptors regulate and designing pharmaceutical drugs for these receptors may provide alternative treatments for cholesterol and bile acid disorders.