Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 17, Issue 6, 2017

Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are promiscuous partners of heterodimeric associations with other members of the Nuclear Receptor (NR) superfamily. Through these liaisons RXR ligands (“rexinoids”) either transcriptionally activate on their own the “permissive” subclass of heterodimers (PPAR/RXR, LXR/RXR, FXR/RXR) or synergize with partner ligands in the “non-permissive” subclass of heterodimers (RAR/RXR, VDR/RXR and TR/RXR). Read More

Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) occupy a central position within the nuclear receptor superfamily. They not only function as important transcriptional factors but also exhibit diverse nongenomic biological activities. The pleiotropic actions of RXRs under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions confer RXRs important drug targets for the treatment of cancer, and metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. RXR modul Read More

This review focuses on our efforts to translate a low-toxicity retinoid X receptor-selective agonist, UAB30, to the clinic for the prevention of breast cancers. The review is divided into several sections. First, the current status of breast cancer prevention is discussed. Next, preclinical studies are presented that support translation of rexinoids to the clinic for cancer prevention. While current FDAapproved retinoids and rexinoids de Read More

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism. Agonists of PPARγ, such as thiazolidinediones, have anti-hyperglycemic activity, and are therefore used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the functional activity of PPARγ is manifested by heterodimers of PPARγ with retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Since RXR/ Read More

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques, composed of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles, composed of aberrantly phosphorylated tau. APOE4 is the greatest genetic risk factor for AD, increasing risk up to 12- fold with a double allele compared to APOE3. In contrast, APOE2 reduces AD risk ~2-fold per allele. Accumulating evidence demonstrate Read More

Rexinoids are selective ligands for the nuclear receptors known as RXRs. They do not bind to the receptors for all-trans-retinoic acid (RARs). Many new rexinoids have been synthesized and then assayed for their ability to suppress proliferation of cancer cells, to inhibit activation of inflammatory cells of the tumor microenvironment, and to prevent carcinogenesis in animal models relevant to human disease. Here we review the lit Read More

As the heterodimerization partner for a large number of nuclear receptors, the retinoid X receptor (RXR) is important for a large and diverse set of biochemical pathways. Activation and regulation of RXR heterodimers is achieved by complex allosteric mechanisms, which involve the binding of ligands, DNA, coactivators and corepressors, and entail large and subtle conformational motions. Complementing experiments, comput Read More

Since the isolation and identification of the retinoid X receptor (RXR) as a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily in 1990, its analysis has ushered in a new understanding of physiological regulation by nuclear receptors, and novel methods to identify other unknown and orphan receptors. Expression of one or more of the three isoforms of RXR—α, β, and γ—can be found in every human cell type. Biologically, RX Read More