HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and AMPK, an energy sensing network that controls energy expenditure

Study Abstract

PGC-1α has been extensively described as a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, PGC-1α activity is not constant, and can be finely tuned in response to different metabolic situations. From this point of view, PGC-1α could be described as a mediator of the transcriptional outputs triggered by metabolic sensors, providing the idea that these sensors, together with PGC-1α, might be weaving a network controlling cellular energy expenditure. In this review we will focus on how pathologies such as type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome might be related to an abnormal and improper function of this network.

Metabolic sensors such as AMPK and SIRT1, gatekeepers of the activity of the master regulator of mitochondria, PGC1α, are vital links in a regulatory network for metabolic homeostasis. Together these players explain many of the beneficial effects of physical activity and dietary interventions in our battle against type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Hence, understanding the mechanisms by which they act could guide us to identify and improve preventive and therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases.

Keywords: energy expenditure, PGC-1α, SIRT1, AMPK