PGC-1α, glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes mellitus

J Endocrinol. 2016 Jun;229(3):R99-R115. doi: 10.1530/JOE-16-0021. Epub 2016 Apr 19.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by glucose metabolic disturbance. A number of transcription factors and coactivators are involved in this process. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) is an important transcription coactivator regulating cellular energy metabolism. Accumulating evidence has indicated that PGC-1α is involved in the regulation of T2DM. Therefore, a better understanding of the roles of PGC-1α may shed light on more efficient therapeutic strategies. Here, we review the most recent progress on PGC-1α and discuss its regulatory network in major glucose metabolic tissues such as the liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas and kidney. The significant associations between PGC-1α polymorphisms and T2DM are also discussed in this review.

Keywords: PGC-1α; glucose metabolism; polymorphism; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / metabolism
  • Glucocorticoids / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / pathology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / genetics
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sirtuins / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • HNF4A protein, human
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4
  • Insulin
  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Sirtuins
  • Glucose