Current concepts of PPAR- γ signalling in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PP ARs, α, δ and γ) constitute a distinct subfamily of the su perfamily of nuclear receptors that are activated by naturally occurring fatty acids or fatty acid deriva tives. Recently, there is an increased interest in PP ARy research because they (a) are key regulators of adipocyte differentiation and energy source and (b) are cellular targets of thiazolidinedione drugs, which are used to treat Type 2 diabetes by decreas ing insulin resistance. Additionally, PPARγ has emerged to be a powerful player in general tran scriptional control of numerous cellular processes, with implications in diabetes and obesity, cell cycle control, carcinogenesis, inflammation, athero sclerosis and immunomodulation. This review focuses on some of the recent research on the pivotal role of PPARγ in insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.