title: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma calls for activation in moderation: lessons from genetics and pharmacology.
abstract: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a prototypical member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and integrates the control of energy, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. PPARgamma can bind a variety of small lipophilic compounds derived from metabolism and nutrition. These ligands, in turn, determine cofactor recruitment to PPARgamma, regulating the transcription of genes in a variety of metabolic pathways. PPARgamma is the main target of the thiazolidinedione class of insulin-sensitizing drugs, which are currently a mainstay of therapy for type 2 diabetes. However, this therapy has a number of side effects. Here, we review the clinical consequences of PPARgamma polymorphisms in humans, as well as several studies in mice using general or tissue-specific knockout techniques. We also discuss the recent pharmacological literature describing a variety of new PPARgamma partial agonists and antagonists, as well as pan-PPAR agonists. The results of these studies have added to the understanding of PPARgamma function, allowing us to hypothesize a general mechanism of PPARgamma action and speculate on future trends in the use of PPARgamma as a target in the treatment of type II diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale/Université Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, France.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knouff
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auwerx
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009154:Mutation; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D047495:PPAR gamma