The recent explosion of research on orphan nuclear receptors has provided new insights
into the regulation of lipid metabolism. A recurring theme that continues to emerge is the
evolution of an elaborate, autoregulated system for sensing and metabolizing biologically
active lipids. One branch of this system includes the oxysterol and bile acid receptors, which
serve as sensors for sterol metabolism that regulate the transport and metabolism of
cholesterol and bile acids. This review will focus on the five orphan nuclear receptors that …