Retinoids synergized with insulin to induce Srebp-1c expression and activated its promoter via the two liver X receptor binding sites that mediate insulin action

► Retinoids synergized with insulin to induce Srebp-1c expression in hepatocytes. ► This is via activation of retinoid X receptor, but not retinoic acid receptor. ► Retinoic acid (RA) differentially induced Gck and Srebp-1c expression. ► RA induced Srebp-1c expression in INS-1 cells in a dose dependent manner. ► RA responsive elements in its promoter are the liver X receptor binding sites.