Role of PPARγ in adipocyte recruitment and thermogenesis

Abstract

PPARγ is an important transcription factor in the process of adipocyte recruitment and differentiation. Its relevance in vivo has been clearly observed using genetically modified animal models with different degrees of PPARγ function impairment. These animals showed defects in white and brown adipose tissue development and plasticity. Also, the use of PPARγ synthetic activators provided pharmacological evidence for the role of PPARγ as a modulator of adipose tissue plasticity and function. Aside from its well-established role in white adipocyte differentiation, PPARγ also plays a role in brown adipocyte differentiation. Specifically, in brown adipocytes, PPARγ promotes the transcription of genes involved in thermogenesis, such as mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) 1, resulting in enhanced noradrenaline-dependent thermogenesis. PPARγ may also promote the acquirement of a ‘brown’ phenotype by mature white adipocytes.

Keywords::

• adipose organ
• brown adipose tissue
• differentiation
• dominant-negative mutations
• obesity
• PPARγ
• recruitment
• thermogenesis
• UCP
• white adipose tissue

Financial disclosure

Our research is supported by grants from Diabetes UK, MRC and the Wellcome Trust.