TY - JOUR
AU - Apfel, Christian M.
AB - Metabolic defects in phytanic acid catabolism have been shown to be connected with a number of human diseases which can lead to lethal defects of the nervous system and other organs. These effects are probably a result of the very high accumulation of phytanic acid in tissues throughout the body, due to defects in phytanic acid oxidation, the peroxisome being a major site for this process. The nuclear hormone receptors peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor and retinoid X receptor (RXR) have been shown to function as transcription factors in the control of the peroxisomal enzyme expression. Known activators of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor include polyunsaturated fatty acids and, for RXR, the 9‐cis isomer of retinoic acid. Here we report that phytanic acid is also a natural ligand for RXRα, being able to activate a RXR‐responsive promoter. We present evidence that phytanic acid binds to RXRα, promotes formation of an RXRα/RXR response element complex (as detected by gel retardation), and induces a RXRα conformational change similar to that induced by 9‐cis‐retinoic acid (as detected by protease sensitivity). These results suggest an involvement of RXRα in the control of fatty acid metabolism and could imply that RXRs have a role in the disease effects resulting from defective phytanic acid catabolism.
TI - Phytanic Acid is a Retinoid X Receptor Ligand
JF - The Febs Journal
DO - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1996.00328.x
DA - 1996-02-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/wiley/phytanic-acid-is-a-retinoid-x-receptor-ligand-z0CIe1GUw6
SP - 328
EP - 333
VL - 236
IS - 1
DP - DeepDyve
ER -