Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional coactivator that favorably affects mitochondrial function. This concept is supported by an increasing amount of data including studies in PGC-1α gene-deleted mice, suggesting that PGC-1α is a rescue factor capable of boosting cell metabolism and promoting cell survival. However, this view has now been called into question by a recent study showing that adeno-associated virus-mediated PGC-1α overexpression causes overt cell degeneration in dopaminergic neurons. How is this to be understood, and can these seemingly conflicting findings tell us something about the role of PGC-1α in cell stress and in control of neuronal homeostasis?
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Dopaminergic Neurons / physiology
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Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics*
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Heat-Shock Proteins / physiology*
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Homeostasis
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Humans
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Mitochondria / physiology
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Models, Neurological
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Nerve Degeneration / genetics
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Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
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Parkinson Disease / etiology
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Parkinson Disease / genetics
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Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
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Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
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RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
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Trans-Activators / deficiency
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Trans-Activators / genetics*
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Trans-Activators / physiology*
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Transcription Factors / genetics*
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Transcription Factors / physiology*
Substances
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Heat-Shock Proteins
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PPARGC1A protein, human
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Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
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Ppargc1a protein, mouse
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Ppargc1a protein, rat
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors