NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a ligand-activated transcription factor that shares structural features in common with nuclear hormone receptor family members. This protein functions as a receptor for bile acids, and when bound to bile acids, binds to DNA and regulates the expression of genes involved in bile acid synthesis and transport. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]
General function
DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
Steroid metabolism
Comment
Evidence for the involvement of FXR signaling in ovarian granulosa cell function. Takae K et al. (2018) FXR (farnesoid X receptor) is mainly present in enterohepatic tissues and regulates cholesterol, lipid, and glucose homeostasis in coordination with target genes such as SHP and FABP6. Although FXR has been revealed to be expressed in reproductive tissues, FXR function and expression levels in the ovary remain unknown. In this study, we investigated FXR expression in mouse ovaries and its target genes in ovarian granulosa cells. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining showed that FXR was mainly distributed in secondary and tertiary follicles. The agonist-induced activation of FXR in cultured granulosa cells induced the expression of SHP and FABP6, while siRNA targeting of FXR decreased CYP19a1 and HSD17b1 expression. Upon examination of the roles of SHP and FABP6 in granulosa cells, we found that SHP overexpression significantly decreased StAR, CYP11a1, and HSD3b gene expression. In addition, siRNA targeting of FABP6 decreased CYP19a1 and HSD17b1 expression, while FABP6 overexpression increased CYP19a1 expression. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the presence of FXR signaling in the ovary and reveals that FXR signaling may have a role in function of granulosa cells.//////////////////