The retinoid-related orphan receptors (RORs) and liver X receptors (LXRs) were postulated to have distinct functions. RORs play a role in tissue development and circadian rhythm, whereas LXRs are sterol sensors that affect lipid homeostasis. In this study, we revealed a novel function of ROR␣ (NR1F1) in regulating the oxysterol 7␣-hydroxylase (Cyp7b1), an enzyme critical for the homeostasis of cholesterol, bile acids, and oxysterols. The expression of Cyp7b1 gene was suppressed in the ROR␣ null (ROR␣ sg/sg ) mice, suggesting ROR␣ as a positive regulator of Cyp7b1. Promoter analysis established Cyp7b1 as a transcriptional target of ROR␣, and transfection of ROR␣ induced the expression of endogenous Cyp7b1 in the liver. Interestingly, Cyp7b1 regulation seemed to be ROR␣-specific, because ROR␥ had little effect. Reporter gene analysis showed that the activation of Cyp7b1 gene promoter by ROR␣ was suppressed by LXR␣ (NR1H3), whereas ROR␣ inhibited both the constitutive and ligand-dependent activities of LXR␣. The mutual suppression between ROR␣ and LXR was supported by the in vivo observation that loss of ROR␣ increased the expression of selected LXR target genes, leading to hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Likewise, mice deficient of LXR ␣ and  isoforms showed activation of selected ROR␣ target genes. Our results have revealed a novel role for ROR␣ and a functional interplay between ROR␣ and LXR in regulating endo-and xenobiotic genes, which may have broad implications in metabolic homeostasis.