Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods useful for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods useful for treating liver diseases and metabolic diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods useful for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Abstract: A novel, improved method of synthesizing alkylated bile acid derivatives is provided. Such derivatives include, but are not limited to the active, potent, and selective FXR receptor agonist such as 6-ECDCA and other CA, DCA and CDCA derivatives. The first step of the synthesis selectively oxidates CDCA, CD, or DCA related starting material. An efficient combined deprotonation, trapping, ethylation, deprotection and reduction system is used to produce the desired alkylated bile acid derivatives. This practical synthesis offers a simple and economical pathway suitable for a large-scale manufacturing of alkylated bile acid derivatives including, but not limited to, 6-ECDCA.

Abstract: A novel, improved method of synthesizing alkylated bile acid derivatives is provided. Such derivatives include, but are not limited to the active, potent, and selective FXR receptor agonist such as 6-ECDCA and other CA, DCA and CDCA derivatives. The first step of the synthesis selectively oxidates CDCA, CD, or DCA related starting material. An efficient combined deprotonation, trapping, ethylation, deprotection and reduction system is used to produce the desired alkylated bile acid derivatives. This practical synthesis offers a simple and economical pathway suitable for a large-scale manufacturing of alkylated bile acid derivatives including, but not limited to, 6-ECDCA.

Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.

Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the activity of the mammalian FXR receptor. The methods include methods of treating a hyper- or hypocholesterolemic mammal comprising contacting the mammal with synthetic compounds having FXR receptor activity.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of compounds which are capable of modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes it possible to intervene in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the activity of the mammalian BAR/FXR receptor. The methods include methods of treating a hypocholesterolemic mammal comprising contacting the mammal with synthetic compounds able to modulate an activity characteristic of the BAR/FXR receptor. Other methods include a method of treating colon cancer in a mammal comprising administering a compound having a BAR/FXR antagonistic activity.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that PPAR&ggr; is expressed consistently in each of the major histologic types of human liposarcoma. It has further been discovered that maximal activation of PPAR&ggr; with exogenous ligand (a thiazolidinedione or derivative thereof) promotes terminal differentiation of primary human liposarcoma cells. It has still further been discovered that RXR-specific ligands are also potent adipogenic agents in cells expressing the PPAR&ggr;/RXR&agr; heterodimer, and that simultaneous treatment of liposarcoma cells with a thiazolidinedionyl moiety (a PPAR&ggr;-selective class of compounds) and an RXR-specific ligand results in an additive stimulation of differentiation. Accordingly, according to the invention, there have been identified compositions which are useful for the treatment of liposarcomas.

Abstract: Heterodimerization is a common paradigm among eucaryotic transcription factors, though it remains unclear how individual monomers contribute to the overall transcriptional activities of the complex. The 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) serves as a common heterodimerization partner for several nuclear receptors including the thyroid hormone (T3R), retinoic acid (RAR) and vitamin D receptors. A strategy has been devised to examine the transcriptional properties of each receptor individually or when tethered to a heterodimeric partner. It has been found that the intrinsic activity of RXR is masked in RXR-T3R and RXR-RAR heterodimers. In contrast, a novel RXR-Nurrl heterodimer described herein is highly responsive to RXR ligands, suggesting that different partners exert unique allosteric control over the RXR response.

Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.

Abstract: Heterodimerization is a common paradigm among eucaryotic transcription factors, though it remains unclear how individual monomers contribute to the overall transcriptional activities of the complex. The 9-cis retinoic acid receptor (RXR) serves as a common heterodimerization partner for several nuclear receptors including the thyroid hormone (T3R), retinoic acid (RAR) and vitamin D receptors. A strategy has been devised to examine the transcriptional properties of each receptor individually or when tethered to a heterodimeric partner. It has been found that the intrinsic activity of RXR is masked in RXR-T3R and RXR-RAR heterodimers. In contrast, a novel RXR-Nurr1 heterodimer described herein is highly responsive to RXR ligands, suggesting that different partners exert unique allosteric control over the RXR response.

Abstract: ET-743 is a small molecular weight compound with antineoplastic activity that inhibits the ability of the nuclear receptor SXR to trans activate gene transcription from SXR regulated response elements. The nuclear receptor SXR has been identified as a receptor that activates transcription of the mdr1 gene and thus increases multidrug resistance in cells. The interaction of SXR with the mdr1 gene and ET-743 provide a set of physiological mechanisms which can be exploited to identify novel inhibitors of SXR activation and mdr1 gene transcription and thus novel agents which exhibit an antineoplastic effect against tumor cells either alone or when coadministered with another antineoplastic agent.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of compounds which are capable of modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes it possible to intervene in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating genes which are controlled by the FXR nuclear hormone receptor such as Cyp7a, Cyp8b, phospholipid transfer protein, ileal bile acid binding protein, sodium taurocholate cotransporter protein, liver fatty acid binding protein and bile salt export pump. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves modulation of the gene encoding Cyp7a, the enzyme responsible for a major pathway in the elimination of cholesterol. The invention also relates to methods for screening compounds which bind to and activate or inhibit the FXR nuclear hormone receptor and compounds which activate or inhibit the FXR nuclear hormone receptor.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of compounds which are capable of modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes it possible to intervene in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways.

Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of compounds which are capable of modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes it possible to intervene in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways.