PGC-1 alpha, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress: An Integrative View in Metabolism

Autores de IIS La Fe

• María Isabel Torres Cuevas

  Autor

• Iván Millán Yáñez

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Rius-Pérez S
• Ortega ÁL
• Pérez S

Grupos

• Perinatología

  

  Leader

  Máximo Vento Torres

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1 alpha is a transcriptional coactivator described as a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function, including oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species detoxification. PGC-1 alpha is highly expressed in tissues with high energy demands, and it is clearly associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and its principal complications including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and hepatic steatosis. We herein review the molecular pathways regulated by PGC-1 alpha, which connect oxidative stress and mitochondrial metabolism with inflammatory response and metabolic syndrome. PGC-1 alpha regulates the expression of mitochondrial antioxidant genes, including manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxiredoxin 3 and 5, uncoupling protein 2, thioredoxin 2, and thioredoxin reductase and thus prevents oxidative injury and mitochondrial dysfunction. Dysregulation of PGC-1 alpha alters redox homeostasis in cells and exacerbates inflammatory response, which is commonly accompanied by metabolic disturbances. During inflammation, low levels of PGC-1 alpha downregulate mitochondrial antioxidant gene expression, induce oxidative stress, and promote nuclear factor kappa B activation. In metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by a chronic low grade of inflammation, PGC-1 alpha dysregulation modifies the metabolic properties of tissues by altering mitochondrial function and promoting reactive oxygen species accumulation. In conclusion, PGC-1 alpha acts as an essential node connecting metabolic regulation, redox control, and inflammatory pathways, and it is an interesting therapeutic target that may have significant benefits for a number of metabolic diseases.

Keywords

• PROLIFERATOR-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR; GAMMA COACTIVATOR 1-ALPHA; NF-KAPPA-B; FATTY-ACID OXIDATION; MITOCHONDRIAL BIOGENESIS; SKELETAL-MUSCLE; TRANSCRIPTIONAL COACTIVATOR; INSULIN-RESISTANCE; PROTEIN-KINASE; PGC-1 COACTIVATORS