Transcriptional control of adipogenesis and role of the coactivator PGC-1a

Abstract

Adipogenesis is a complex proces, depending on numerous genetic and environmental factors. Study of the molecular basis of adipogenesis becomes, due to its central role in obesity and diabetes type-2 in human, more and more important also in human medicine. Adipogenesis is of central importance also for animal production, due to its impact on carcass composition, meat quality and profitability of fattening. In addition to the role of leptin and leptin receptor in adipogenesis, a new regulatory mechanism was recently discovered, which includes adaptive thermogenesis and biosynthesis of mitochondria. Important regulators of these processes are PPARg and his co-activator PGC-1a. In this article we describe the mechanism of adipogenesis regulation and the role of PPARg and PGC-1a in it. The interspecies comparison of PGC-1a amino sequence and possibilities for development of drugs regulating PGC-1a are presented.