Title
PPARs and the complex journey to obesity
UMMS Affiliation
Program in Gene Function and Expression; Program in Molecular Medicine
Date
4-2-2004
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Adipocytes; Appetite; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Energy Metabolism; Glucose; Homeostasis; Humans; Lipids; Obesity; Receptor, Insulin; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics
Abstract
Obesity and the related disorders of dyslipidemia and diabetes (components of syndrome X) have become global health epidemics. Over the past decade, the elucidation of key regulators of energy balance and insulin signaling have revolutionized our understanding of fat and sugar metabolism and their intimate link. The three 'lipid-sensing' peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma and PPAR-delta) exemplify this connection, regulating diverse aspects of lipid and glucose homeostasis, and serving as bona fide therapeutic targets. With molecular underpinnings now in place, new pharmacologic approaches to metabolic disease and new questions are emerging.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Nat Med. 2004 Apr;10(4):355-61. Link to article on publisher's site