A cold-inducible coactivator of nuclear receptors linked to adaptive thermogenesis

Cell. 1998 Mar 20;92(6):829-39. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81410-5.

Abstract

Adaptive thermogenesis is an important component of energy homeostasis and a metabolic defense against obesity. We have cloned a novel transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptors, termed PGC-1, from a brown fat cDNA library. PGC-1 mRNA expression is dramatically elevated upon cold exposure of mice in both brown fat and skeletal muscle, key thermogenic tissues. PGC-1 greatly increases the transcriptional activity of PPARgamma and the thyroid hormone receptor on the uncoupling protein (UCP-1) promoter. Ectopic expression of PGC-1 in white adipose cells activates expression of UCP-1 and key mitochondrial enzymes of the respiratory chain, and increases the cellular content of mitochondrial DNA. These results indicate that PGC-1 plays a key role in linking nuclear receptors to the transcriptional program of adaptive thermogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / chemistry
  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / metabolism
  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Body Temperature Regulation / physiology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF049330