Function
Pregnane X receptor (PXR) or nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 is a nuclear receptor which senses the presence of toxic substances and regulates the expression of proteins which are involved in detoxificaton. PXR is activated by a large range of steroids, antibiotics, bile acids and many herbal compounds. Thus it is a generalized sensor of hydrophobic toxins. When activated, PXR binds to the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and the formed heterodimer binds to hormone response elements on the DNA. PXR, similar to other nuclear receptors contains a ligand-binding domain (LBD) and DNA-binding domain (DBD)[1].
See also Intracellular receptors
Relevance
PXR regulates the expression of milt-drug protein 1 and other proteins involved in drug metabolism thus affecting the efficacy of chemotherapeutics[2].
Structural highlights
which is used in testing tuberculosis[3].
