Liver receptor homolog-1 regulates bile acid homeostasis but is not essential for feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis

Mol Endocrinol. 2008 Jun;22(6):1345-56. doi: 10.1210/me.2007-0565. Epub 2008 Mar 6.

Abstract

Liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1), an orphan nuclear receptor, is highly expressed in liver and intestine, where it is implicated in the regulation of cholesterol, bile acid, and steroid hormone homeostasis. Among the proposed LRH-1 target genes in liver are those encoding cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), which catalyze key steps in bile acid synthesis. In vitro studies suggest that LRH-1 may be involved both in stimulating basal CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 transcription and in repressing their expression as part of the nuclear bile acid receptor [farnesoid X receptor (FXR)]-small heterodimer partner signaling cascade, which culminates in small heterodimer partner binding to LRH-1 to repress gene transcription. However, in vivo analysis of LRH-1 actions has been hampered by the embryonic lethality of Lrh-1 knockout mice. To overcome this obstacle, mice were generated in which Lrh-1 was selectively disrupted in either hepatocytes or intestinal epithelium. LRH-1 deficiency in either tissue changed mRNA levels of genes involved in cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis. Surprisingly, LRH-1 deficiency in hepatocytes had no significant effect on basal Cyp7a1 expression or its repression by FXR. Whereas Cyp8b1 repression by FXR was also intact in mice deficient for LRH-1 in hepatocytes, basal CYP8B1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased, and there were corresponding changes in the composition of the bile acid pool. Taken together, these data reveal a broad role for LRH-1 in regulating bile acid homeostasis but demonstrate that LRH-1 is either not involved in the feedback regulation of bile acid synthesis or is compensated for by other factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological / genetics*
  • Feedback, Physiological / physiology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Homeostasis / genetics*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Organ Specificity / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcriptional Activation

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nr5a2 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor