The mode of action of nuclear receptors in living cells is an actively investigated field but much remains hypothetical due to the lack, until recently, of methods allowing the assessment of molecular mechanisms in vivo. However, these last years, the development of fluorescence microscopy methods has allowed initiating the dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying gene regulation by nu...

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are hormone-sensing transcription factors that translate dietary or endocrine signals into changes in gene expression. Therefore, the adoption of orphan NRs through the identification of their endogenous ligands is a key element for our understanding of their biology. In this minireview, we give an update on recent progress in regard to endogenous ligands for a cluster o...

Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression in response to small lipophilic compounds such as testosterone [androgen receptor (AR)], oxysterols [liver X receptor (LXR)], estrogen (ER), xenobiotics [pregnane X receptor (PXR)], retinoic acid (RAR), thyroid hormone (TR), bile acids [farnesoid X receptor (FXR)] and vitamin D (VDR). The peroxisome proli...

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) were discovered over a decade ago, and were classified as orphan members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. To date, three PPAR subtypes have been discovered and characterized (PPAR $\alpha$, $\beta/\delta$, $\gamma$ ). Different PPAR subtypes have been shown to play crucial roles in important diseases and conditions such as obesity, diabete...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Concurrent to an increase in NAFLD prevalence, there is an increase in the obesity epidemic and the correlated insulin-resistant state. It is a challenge to diagnose NAFLD because many patients are asymptomatic until the later stages of disease. The most common symptoms include fatigue...

The topic of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors has been developed in the field of hepatology allowing envisaging therapeutic strategies for the most frequent chronic liver diseases such as chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). PPARs contribute to wide physiological processes within the liver such as lipid/glucid metabolisms, inflammatory response, cell differentiation, and c...

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and are expressed in a variety of tissues including skin and cells of the immune system. They act as ligand-dependent transcription factors which heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors to allow binding to and activation of PPAR responsive genes. Through this mechanism, PPAR ligands can ...

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) form a family of nuclear hormone receptors involved in energy hemostasis and lipid metabolism (1,2) and include three isotypes encoded by different genes: PPARa (chromosome22q12–13.1), PPARb/d (chromosome 6p21.2–21.1), and PPARg (chromosome 3p25). PPARa was the first discovered and causes cellular peroxisome proliferation in rodent livers (3),...

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARalpha, gamma, delta) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that have central roles in the storage and catabolism of fatty acids. Although the three PPAR subtypes are closely related and bind to similar DNA response elements as heterodimers with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor RXR, each subs...

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Some nuclear hormone receptors play an important role in regulating nutrient metabolism and energy homeostasis. Among these receptors, special attention has been focused on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in colorectal cancer, because...