title: PGC-1alpha: a key regulator of energy metabolism.
abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha is a member of a family of transcription coactivators that plays a central role in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism. It is strongly induced by cold exposure, linking this environmental stimulus to adaptive thermogenesis. PGC-1alpha stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and promotes the remodeling of muscle tissue to a fiber-type composition that is metabolically more oxidative and less glycolytic in nature, and it participates in the regulation of both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is highly likely that PGC-1alpha is intimately involved in disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiomyopathy. In particular, its regulatory function in lipid metabolism makes it an inviting target for pharmacological intervention in the treatment of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, Audie Murphy Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA.
authors.forename: Huiyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Walter F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000254:growth & development; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / 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