Method for modulating process mediated by farnesoid activated receptors

The present invention relates to intracellular receptors, and ligands therefor. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to methods for selectively modulating processes mediated by farnesoid activated receptors. Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.