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Retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha and the regulation of lipid homeostasis

Rebecca L Fitzsimmons1, Patrick Lau, George E O Muscat

  • 1Obesity Research Centre, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Services Rd St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072 Australia.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|July 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) regulates lipid and glucose homeostasis. This nuclear receptor plays a key role in metabolic tissues, influencing energy balance and preventing metabolic disease.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic regulation
  • Nuclear hormone receptors

Background:

  • Nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) are crucial for metabolic homeostasis.
  • Dysfunctional NR signaling contributes to metabolic diseases.
  • Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) is an NR expressed in metabolic tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging role of RORα in controlling lipid and glucose homeostasis.
  • To highlight RORα's function in major metabolic tissues.
  • To discuss RORα's regulation of metabolic pathways and its ligands.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on RORα.
  • Analysis of RORα's role in lipid metabolism, glucose tolerance, and adiposity.
  • Examination of RORα's involvement in phase I/II metabolism and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • RORα influences dyslipidemia, apo-lipoprotein metabolism, and atherosclerosis.
  • RORα regulates bile acid, xenobiotic, and steroid metabolism.
  • Oxygenated sterols act as native ligands and inverse agonists for RORα.

Conclusions:

  • RORα is a significant regulator of lipid and glucose homeostasis in metabolic tissues.
  • RORα's diverse roles extend to adiposity, insulin signaling, and glucose tolerance.
  • Understanding RORα's function is critical for addressing metabolic diseases.

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