Liver X Receptor Beta (LXRβ)

Liver X Receptor Beta (LXRβ) is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that plays a crucial role in lipid metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and immune response. Unlike LXRα, which is primarily expressed in metabolically active tissues, LXRβ is ubiquitously expressed. It forms a heterodimer with RXRα and, upon ligand binding, regulates the expression of genes involved in cholesterol absorption, transport, and efflux, as well as fatty acid metabolism. Its implication in diseases like atherosclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and chronic pancreatitis makes it a potential therapeutic target.

Other names

NR1H2

LXRβ forms a heterodimer with RXRα. Upon binding with ligands like oxysterols or synthetic agonists, the heterodimer binds to LXR response elements (LXREs) on DNA, leading to the recruitment of coactivators and increased transcription of target genes involved in lipid metabolism, cholesterol transport, and fatty acid metabolism. In the absence of ligand, the complex recruits corepressors, repressing gene expression. It regulates uptake through MYLIP-dependent ubiquitination pathways affecting LDLR/VLDLR/LRP8 receptors.