title: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR): structure, mechanisms of activation and diverse functions.
abstract: The structurally diverse xenobiotic peroxisome proliferators (PPs) increase the number of peroxisomes per cell and the levels of several enzymes, and cause hepatomegaly, often leading to hepatocarcinogenesis in a species- and tissue-specific manner. The deadlocked problems of the molecular mechanism of PP action and its physiological meanings have begun to be understood through cDNA cloning of a PP-activated receptor (PPAR). PPAR, a member of the steroid/thyroid/vitamin superfamily of nuclear receptors, has isoforms and differentially heterodimerizes with other nuclear receptors, providing potential mechanisms not only for species- and tissue-specific actions but also for diverse actions of PPs. Recent findings related to PPAR are summarized, and its possible role in lipid metabolism and involvement in PP-induced hepatocarcinogenesis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Motojima
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D008830:Microbodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors