Role of nuclear receptor coregulators in metabolism

Abstract

Understanding the molecular regulation of metabolism will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of common metabolic conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Nuclear receptors are a family of transcription factors, many of which play major roles in regulating metabolic genes in key tissues. They function by recruiting coregulators to the promoters of metabolic genes that can either activate or repress transcription. This review examines the roles of these coregulators in the control of metabolism in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and discusses how they result in coordinated and regulated control of metabolic pathways. In particular, the ligand-dependent recruitment of both coactivators and corepressors has potential implications for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Keywords::

• adipocyte
• metabolism
• nuclear receptor
• PGC-1α
• PGC-1β
• RIP140
• skeletal muscle

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

The first group are the classic steroid receptors, thyroid and vitamin D receptor. The second are often refereed to as adopted orphan receptors. Many of these bind lipids as ligands. The third group known as orphan receptors have no known ligand. Receptors with an identified role in metabolism are highlighted in bold.