Megatrends in bile acid receptor research

The Keystone Symposia conference organized by Luciano Adorini, Kristina Schoonjans, and Scott L. Friedman on “Bile acid receptors as signal integrators in liver and metabolism” in Monterey, California, March 3-7, 2017, offered the opportunity to assess state of the art research and delineate trends in this dynamic and very energetic field. The discovery of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily was followed at the turn of the millennium by the breakthrough discovery that bile acids (BAs) are the endogenous agonists of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and subsequently also of the membrane G protein-coupled receptor TGR5. These seminal discoveries have sparked a dramatic transformation in BA research. In addition to understanding the role of BAs in regulating their own synthesis, metabolism, and transport, it is now clear that BA signaling in liver and intestine as well as in adipose tissue, kidneys, and muscles triggers signals required for the production, management, and storage of energy. In addition, the pleiotropic hormonal activities of BAs have been found to span from the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, to control of inflammation and fibrosis, to preservation of vessel integrity, to restoration of the intestinal barrier, to control of aging and circadian rhythms. Some of the dominant themes emerging from the stimulating discussions on the different facets of BA receptor (BAR) research among the over 250 delegates are outlined below and highlight the main trends of research in this young and exciting field. Big Data and Systems Biology