Hepatic bile acid metabolism genes

The term "Hepatic bile acid metabolism genes" refers to a collective group of proteins rather than a single therapeutic target. This network includes enzymes like Cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), transporters such as the Bile Salt Export Pump (BSEP), and nuclear receptors like the Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) (Chiang, 2013, PMID: 23720281). These genes work in concert to regulate the synthesis of bile acids from cholesterol and their circulation between the liver and intestine, a process vital for lipid absorption and metabolic signaling (UniProt P22680). Dysregulation within this pathway is a key driver of cholestatic diseases and metabolic disorders like nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (Trauner et al., 2017, PMID: 28838987). While the group as a whole is not a single target, individual components are targeted by drugs such as obeticholic acid (FXR agonist) and odevixibat (ASBT inhibitor) to manage bile acid levels and associated symptoms like pruritus (FDA, 2016; FDA, 2021).

Other names

Bile acid synthesis pathwayEnterohepatic circulation genesHepatic bile acid signaling network

Modulation of bile acid synthesis, transport, and signaling via nuclear receptor activation or transporter inhibition.