Liver X Receptors

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that play a major role in the expression of genes which are involved in lipid metabolism. LXRs are part of the superfamily of steroid receptors that work to deliver metabolic signals on the transcriptional level to either suppress or activate target genes. LXRs, once ligand-activated, work by forming heterodimers with the retinoid X receptor, after which they act as transcription factors by binding to the promoter region of deoxyribonucleic acid sequences, thereby affecting gene expression. Specifically, LXR has been shown to be involved with genes that help in the modulation of lipid metabolism, therein having a significant effect on the development or propagation of atherosclerosis. This review paper will discuss the overall function of LXRs and their role in lipid metabolism, and will help identify possible therapeutic modulators of LXRs that can be used for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.