Oxysterols derive from cholesterol oxidation.
They display various biological activities such as regulating cholesterol, fatty acid and glucose homeostasis as well as cell survival/apoptosis balance. Oxysterols display these metabolic and transcriptional activities mainly through their nuclear receptors known as Liver X Receptors (LXRs) α and β. There is accumulating evidence that LXRs are key modulators of prostate cancer cell survival. Hence, LXR activation increases cholesterol efflux and induces a disruption of lipid rafts. The decrease of membrane cholesterol causes a down regulation of AKT survival pathway and consequently apoptosis. Moreover cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive forms of prostate cancer. These data highlight the interest of targeting the LXR-AKT axis in prostate carcinogenesis.
Written by:
Dufour J, Viennois E, De Boussac H, Baron S, Lobaccaro JM. Are you the author?
Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Génétique Reproduction et Développement, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; CNRS, UMR 6293, GReD, BP 80026, F-63171 Aubiere, France; INSERM, UMR 1103, GReD, BP 80026, F-63171 Aubiere, France; Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Reference: Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2012 Jul 19. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2012.06.012
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22819197
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