Primary bile acid

Primary bile acids are amphiphilic steroid molecules synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. The two main primary bile acids in humans are cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. These molecules are produced via a multi-step enzymatic process involving cytochrome P450 enzymes such as cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase. Before secretion into the intestine, they are typically conjugated with glycine or taurine to form more water-soluble compounds known as bile salts. In the intestine, primary bile acids play a crucial role in solubilizing dietary lipids for absorption by forming mixed micelles. They also regulate their own synthesis through negative feedback mechanisms on hepatic enzymes. After entering the gut, primary bile acids can be converted by intestinal bacteria into secondary bile acids such as deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid. Beyond their digestive functions, primary bile acids act as signaling molecules through nuclear receptors like FXR and membrane receptors like TGR5. While individual primary bile acids can be considered drug targets or biomarkers in specific contexts—such as cholic acid supplementation for certain metabolic disorders—the term "primary bile acids" refers to a class of endogenous metabolites rather than a single therapeutic target or receptor[1][3][4]. Therefore: Note: "Primary bile acids" is not itself a canonical molecular target but rather describes a group of related endogenous compounds; thus it is not considered an individual therapeutic target or receptor ("is_target": false). There is something incorrect about using "primary bile acids" directly as a drug target name; it refers to multiple small molecule metabolites rather than one protein/gene/receptor ("is_incorrect": true)[1][3].

Other names

Cholic acidChenodeoxycholic acidBile acids (general)Bile salts (when conjugated)Gallensäure (German)CHEBI:22868Acid, Bile

Emulsification of dietary fats to facilitate absorption