Most studies in evolution are centered on how homologous genes, structures, and/or processes appeared and diverged. Although historical homology is well defined as a concept, in practice its establishment can be problematic, especially for some morphological traits or developmental processes. Metamorphosis in chordates is such an enigmatic character. Defined as a spectacular postembryonic larva-to-adult transition, it shows a wide morphological diversity between the different chordate lineages, suggesting that it might have appeared several times independently. In vertebrates, metamorphosis is triggered by binding of the thyroid hormones (THs) T(4) and T(3) to thyroid-hormone receptors (TRs). Here we show that a TH derivative, triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC), induces metamorphosis in the cephalochordate amphioxus. The amphioxus TR (amphiTR) mediates spontaneous and TRIAC-induced metamorphosis because it strongly binds to TRIAC, and a specific TR antagonist, NH3, inhibits both spontaneous and TRIAC-induced metamorphosis. Moreover, as in amphibians, amphiTR expression levels increase around metamorphosis and are enhanced by THs. Therefore, TH-regulated metamorphosis, mediated by TR, is an ancestral feature of all chordates. This conservation of a regulatory network supports the homology of metamorphosis in the chordate lineage.

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Retinoic acid receptors (RARs), retinoid X receptors (RXRs) and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are nuclear receptors that are crucial transcriptional regulators of many cellular processes such as differentiation, development, apoptosis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, homeostasis etc. In addition, RXRs are common heterodimerization partners for several receptors including vitamin D receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) etc. In the course of 90s', PXR and CAR were discovered as key xenosensors regulating drug-metabolizing enzymes. Since there exist various cross-talks between cell signaling pathways, this was not surprising that RXRs, RARs and TRs were identified as regulators of human drug-metabolizing cytochromes P450 and cytochromes P450 involved in metabolism of endogenous compounds. Hence, a link between regulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and regulatory pathways of intermediary metabolism was established. Additionally, several drug-metabolizing enzymes are involved in metabolism of retinoids, rexinoids and thyroid hormones. In the current paper, we summarize the knowledge on the role of RARs, RXRs and TRs in the regulation of drug metabolizing cytochromes P450, and vice versa on the role of P450s in homeostasis of retinoids, rexinoids and thyroid hormone.