Abstract

The biliverdin reductase (BVR) isozymes BVRA and BVRB are cell surface membrane receptors with pleiotropic functions. This review compares, for the first time, the structural and functional differences between the isozymes. They reduce biliverdin, a byproduct of heme catabolism, to bilirubin, display kinase activity, and BVRA, but not BVRB, can act as a transcription factor. The binding motifs present in the BVR isozymes allow a wide range of interactions with components of metabolically important signaling pathways such as the insulin receptor kinase cascades, protein kinases (PKs), and inflammatory mediators. In addition, serum bilirubin levels have been negatively associated with abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. We discuss the roles of the BVR isozymes in metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)212-220
Number of pages9
JournalTrends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) PRIDE grant (HL106365) (T.D.H.), grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [K01HL-125445 (T.D.H.), PO1HL-051971, HL088421 (D.E.S.), and 1T32HL105324 (P.A.H)], and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20GM-104357).

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)HL106365
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)HL088421, K01HL125445, P01HL051971, 1T32HL105324
National Institute of General Medical SciencesP20GM104357

    Keywords

    • BVRA
    • BVRB
    • Bilirubin
    • Biliverdin reductase
    • Diabetes
    • Heme oxygenase
    • Obesity

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
    • Endocrinology

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Biliverdin reductase isozymes in metabolism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this