Cholesterol-receptor-mediated genomics in health and disease

Cross-talk between cell-surface receptor Ck and intracellular receptors (liver X receptor-α and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors) controls a set of crucial genes that maintain a finely orchestrated balance between various cellular processes involved in cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation. Abnormal cross-talk of these receptors can lead to several human diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, cancer and autoimmune diseases. As our understanding of the complex signaling events that link these receptors to human health improves, we are beginning to appreciate the enormous potential of the proposed cross-talk model of cholesterol receptors in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases.