The liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) also known as
totipotency pioneer factor NR5A2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2) is a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residue (biochemistry), residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including Enzyme catalysis, catalysing metab ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''NR5A2''
gene
In biology, the word gene has two meanings. The Mendelian gene is a basic unit of heredity. The molecular gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA that is transcribed to produce a functional RNA. There are two types of molecular genes: protei ...
.
LRH-1 is a member of the
nuclear receptor
In the field of molecular biology, nuclear receptors are a class of proteins responsible for sensing steroids, thyroid hormones, vitamins, and certain other molecules. These intracellular receptors work with other proteins to regulate the ex ...
family of
intracellular
This glossary of biology terms is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in biology, the study of life and of living organisms. It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions ...
transcription factor
In molecular biology, a transcription factor (TF) (or sequence-specific DNA-binding factor) is a protein that controls the rate of transcription (genetics), transcription of genetics, genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding t ...
s.
LRH-1 plays a critical role in the regulation of
development,
cholesterol
Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body Tissue (biology), tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in Animal fat, animal fats and oils.
Cholesterol is biosynthesis, biosynthesized by all anima ...
transport,
bile acid homeostasis and
steroidogenesis.
LRH-1 is important for maintaining pluripotence of stem cells during embryonic development.
Nr5a2 was recently identified at a totipotent pioneer factor.
The orphan nuclear receptor Nr5a2 has been shown to be important in fertility, ovarian function,
and zygotic genome activation (ZGA).
Heterozygosity for Nr5a2 is associated with reduced ovarian function, specifically in the synthesis of progesterone. This impaired progesterone production was associated with infertility in female mice, as well as increased incidence of pregnancy loss.
The loss of embryos around implantation associated with Nr5a2+/- mice indicated a possible interaction with genome-wide gene expression in early embryo development. Upon further investigation, Nr5a2 was found to regulate ZGA in mice embryos similar to that of Zelda in Drosophila. Nr5a2 is maternally contributed and regulates transcription activity in the early embryo by binding to distal cis-regulatory sequences and promoting chromatin accessibility. The change in chromatin conformation allows for the activation of transcription of about 72% of genes involved in ZGA.
Interactions
Liver receptor homolog-1 has been shown to
interact with the
small heterodimer partner.
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{Transcription factors, g2
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