title: [PGC-1alpha, a transcriptional coactivator involved in metabolism].
abstract: Transcriptional coactivators can be important targets for physiologic regulation. PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), in cooperation with several transcription factors, has emerged as a key regulator of several aspects of mammalian energy metabolism including mitochondrial biogenesis, adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, glucose uptake, fiber type-switching in skeletal muscle, gluconeogenesis in liver and insulin secretion from pancreas. Recent studies have shown a reduced expression of PGC-1alpha in skeletal muscle of diabetic and prediabetic humans. Moreover, expression of PGC-1alpha in white fat cells activates a broad program of adaptive thermogenesis characteristic of brown fat cells. PGC-1alpha could be a target for antiobesity or diabetes drugs. The aim of this article was to summarize the molecular mechanisms and biological programs controlled by the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1alpha.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherches sur les obésités, Inserm UPS U.586, Institut Louis-Bugnard, CHU de Rangueil, 1, avenue Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tiraby
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008660:Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; C486497:PPARGC1A protein, human; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D014157:Transcription Factors; D005947:Glucose