Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
10:06
Engineering Artificial Factors to Specifically Manipulate Alternative Splicing in Human Cells
Published on: April 26, 2017
PPARs in the Control of Uncoupling Proteins Gene Expression
Francesc Villarroya1, Roser Iglesias, Marta Giralt
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 585 08007, Spain.
PPAR Research
|March 29, 2007
Summary
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulate uncoupling protein (UCP) genes, which are crucial for energy metabolism. Understanding this relationship offers insights into metabolic syndrome and obesity treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Metabolic regulation
- Gene expression
Background:
- Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial transporters critical for energy conversion.
- UCP dysfunction is linked to metabolic syndrome and obesity.
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) significantly influence UCP gene transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of PPARs in regulating UCP gene expression.
- To explore this regulation in normal physiological conditions.
- To examine the context of type-2 diabetes and obesity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental and genetic evidence.
- Analysis of PPAR subtype involvement in UCP gene regulation.
- Focus on tissue-specific expression and control mechanisms.
Main Results:
- PPARs differentially regulate UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 genes.
- UCP1 is controlled by PPARgamma and PPARalpha.
- UCP3 is regulated by PPARalpha and PPARdelta.
- UCP2 expression is also influenced by PPARs in various tissues.
Conclusions:
- PPARs are key regulators of UCP gene expression across different tissues.
- This regulation is vital for energy homeostasis.
- Dysregulation contributes to metabolic disorders like obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
01:37The Unfolded Protein Response
The ER is the hub of protein synthesis in a cell. It has robust systems to quality control protein folding and also for degradation of terminally misfolded proteins. Under normal conditions, a small proportion of misfolded proteins that cannot be salvaged need to be transported to the cytoplasm by the ER-associated degradation or ERAD pathways. However, if the ERAD cannot handle the misfolded proteins, the cell activates the unfolded protein response or UPR to adjust the protein folding...
01:09GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of cells.
Two...
Two...