Activation of the nuclear receptor LXR by oxysterols defines a new hormone response pathway

Accumulation of cholesterol causes both repression of genes controlling cholesterol biosynthesis and cellular uptake and induction of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, which leads to the removal of cholesterol by increased metabolism to bile acids, Here, we report that LXR alpha and LXR beta, two orphan members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, are activated by 24(S),25-epoxycholesterol and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol at physiologic concentrations. In addition, we have identified an LXR response element in the promoter region of the rat cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase gene, Our data provide evidence for a new hormonal signaling pathway that activates transcription in response to oxysterols and suggest that LXRs play a critical role in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis.