Function of Nr4a Orphan Nuclear Receptors in Proliferation, Apoptosis and Fuel Utilization Across Tissues

Cells. 2019 Nov 1;8(11):1373. doi: 10.3390/cells8111373.

Abstract

The Nr4a family of nuclear hormone receptors is composed of three members-Nr4a1/Nur77, Nr4a2/Nurr1 and Nr4a3/Nor1. While currently defined as ligandless, these transcription factors have been shown to regulate varied processes across a host of tissues. Of particular interest, the Nr4a family impinge, in a tissue dependent fashion, on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization. The regulation of these processes occurs through both nuclear and non-genomic pathways. The purpose of this review is to provide a balanced perspective of the tissue specific and Nr4a family member specific, effects on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and fuel utilization.

Keywords: Nr4a1; Nr4a2; Nr4a3; apoptosis; fuel utilization; metabolism; nuclear hormone receptors; proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 / metabolism
  • Organ Specificity
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • NR4A1 protein, human
  • NR4A2 protein, human
  • NR4A3 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone