PPARγ/PPAR gamma [E8]

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated intracellular transcription factors, members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, that includes estrogen, thyroid hormone receptors, retinoic acid, Vitamin D3 as well as retinoid X receptors. The PPAR subfamily consists of three subtypes PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ, which are activated by selective ligands. PPARγ contains one nuclear receptor DNA-binding domain and is a receptor that binds peroxisome proliferators such as hypolipidemic drugs and fatty acids. It plays an important role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis, adipogenesis, INS resistance, and development of various organs. Defects in PPARγ are the cause of familial partial lipodystrophy type 3 and may be associated with susceptibility to obesity. Defects in PPARγ can lead to type 2 INS-resistant diabetes and hypertension. PPARγ mutations may be associated with colon cancer. Genetic variations in PPARγ are associated with susceptibility to glioma type 1. PPARγ has two isoforms with molecular weight 57 kDa and 54 kDa, but modified PPARγ is about 67 KDa. PPARγ has been reported to be localized mainly (but not always) in the nucleus. PPARγ can also be detected in the cytoplasm and was reported to possess extra-nuclear/non-genomic actions.