The orphan nuclear receptor SXR coordinately regulates drug clearance in response to a
wide variety of xenobiotic compounds. This signaling system protects the body from
exposure to toxic compounds; however, it can also pose a severe barrier to drug therapy.
We now demonstrate that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor
ritonavir binds SXR and activates its target genes. This represents an example of a
commonly used therapeutic agent that effectively activates SXR. We also show that other …