Be fit or be sick: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors are down the road

B Desvergne, L Michalik, W Wahli - Molecular Endocrinology, 2004 - academic.oup.com
B Desvergne, L Michalik, W Wahli
Molecular Endocrinology, 2004academic.oup.com
Investigating metabolism by unveiling the functions of the nuclear receptors peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the numerous intricate pathways ensuring energy
homeostasis and fitness has been extremely rewarding. Major lines of research were initially
determined by the first-characterized crucial roles of PPARα in fatty oxidation and of PPARγ
in adipocyte differentiation and lipid storage. Today, the molecular bases of the functional
links between glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, under the important but nonexclusive …
Abstract
Investigating metabolism by unveiling the functions of the nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the numerous intricate pathways ensuring energy homeostasis and fitness has been extremely rewarding. Major lines of research were initially determined by the first-characterized crucial roles of PPARα in fatty oxidation and of PPARγ in adipocyte differentiation and lipid storage. Today, the molecular bases of the functional links between glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, under the important but nonexclusive control of PPARα and PPARγ, are starting to be uncovered. In addition, in the last couple of years evidence has been provided for an important role of PPARβ (δ) in lipid metabolism. Inevitably, such actors of metabolic homeostasis are implicated in the physiopathology of complex metabolic disorders, such as those constituting the metabolic syndrome, resulting in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents a summary of the recent findings on their dual involvement in health and disease.
Oxford University Press