title: PGC-1alpha-induced mitochondrial alterations in 3T3 fibroblast cells.
abstract: Peroxisome proliferation activator receptor (PPAR) gamma-coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), a transcription coactivator, functions as a master regulator of a wide array of metabolic and physiological processes and is an essential factor in the process of mitochondrial biogenesis. Transfection of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts with a mouse cDNA for PGC-1alpha led to the induction of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, that is, mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA), cytochrome c, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mitochondrial biogenesis-associated net protein synthesis appears to be accomplished by a reduction in the rate of mitochondrial protein degradation with little or no change in the rate of protein synthesis. Overexpression of PGC-1alpha did not adversely affect cellular proliferation. Cellular ATP levels were increased in the transfected cells and they were more resistant to oxidative stress than the control nontransfected 3T3 cells. This resistance to oxidative stress was manifested by both an improved viability and the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential in the transfected cells when exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). It therefore appears that PGC-1alpha overexpression stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3 cells making them more resistant to oxidative stressors.
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
authors: Huiyun
authors: H
authors: Liang
authors: Yidong
authors: Y
authors: Bai
authors: Youfen
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Arlan
authors: A
authors: Richardson
authors: Walter F
authors: WF
authors: Ward
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014162:Transfection; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; C485290:Ppargc1a protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020122:tert-Butylhydroperoxide