X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a demyelinating disorder associated with impaired very-long-chain fatty-acid (VL-CFA) -oxidation caused by mutations in the ABCD1 (ALD) gene that encodes a peroxisomal membrane ABC transporter. ABCD2 (ALDR) displays partial functional redundancy because when overexpressed, it is able to correct the X-ALD biochemical phenotype. The ABCD2 promoter contains a putative thyroid hormone-response element conserved in rodents and humans. In this report, we demonstrate that the element is capable of binding retinoid X receptor and 3,5,3Ј-tri-iodothyronine (T 3 ) receptor (TR) as a heterodimer and mediating T 3 responsiveness of ABCD2 in its promoter context. After a T 3 treatment, an induction of the ABCD2 gene was observed in the liver of normal rats but not that of TRϪ/Ϫ mice. ABCD2 was not induced in the brain of the T 3 -treated rats. However, we report for the first time that induction of the ABCD2 redundant gene is feasible in myelin-producing cells (differentiated CG4 oligodendrocytes). The induction was specific for this cell type because it did not occur in astrocytes. Furthermore, we observed T 3 induction of ABCD2 in human and mouse ABCD1-deficient fibroblasts, which was correlated with normalization of the VLCFA -oxidation. Finally, ABCD3 (PMP70), a close homolog of ABCD2, was also induced by T 3 in the liver of control rats, but not that of TRϪ/Ϫ mice, and in CG4 oligodendrocytes.