Advances in understanding the regulatory mechanism of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase.

The conversion of cholesterol to bile acids (BAs) contributes to the elimination of total cholesterol from the body. In addition, manipulating BA homeostasis by modulating cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) may affect the metabolic processing of cholesterol, exerting therapeutic effects on hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases. Multiple mechanisms (such as various nuclear receptors and regulatory factors) are involved in CYP7A1 modulation. Recently, microRNAs, protein degradation pathways, and the gut microbiota have been identified to participate in these sophisticated networks. In this review, research progress on the regulatory mechanism of CYP7A1 is summarized.