The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) compose a nuclear receptor subfamily. 1 The three PPAR isoforms, g, a and d, which are encoded by three separate genes, are nutrient sensors that regulate metabolic homeostasis. They are ligand-regulated transcription factors whose main physiological actions are mediated by altering gene expression. PPARs heterodimerize with RXR, then bind to peroxisome proliferator response elements in regulatory domains of genes. Upon being bound by agonists, PPAR conformation is changed such that it binds with high affinity to coactivators that remodel chromatin and communicate with the cellular transcriptional machinery. As a result, transcriptional initiation is induced and the levels of PPAR-responsive transcripts increase.PPARg is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Activation of PPARg induces adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation by adipocytes by modulating numerous genes regulating adipogenesis, lipid uptake and lipid metabolism. Notably, PPARg null cells cannot differentiate into adipocytes and the adipose-specific ablation of PPARg results in adipocyte hypocellularity and reduced adiposity. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) insulin-sensitizing agents are PPARg ligands; their antidiabetic efficacy in vivo has been shown to correlate with their receptor agonist potency. The insulin-sensitizing action of PPARg agonists results from their ability to lower circulating free fatty acids by decreasing adipocyte lipolysis, regulate the expression of proteins that modulate insulin action and serve as adipose remodeling agents that direct lipids away from lipolytic visceral fat depots and into subcutaneous fat tissue containing small, insulin-responsive adipocytes. 2 PPARg coactivator-1 (PGC-1), a transcriptional coactivator that was first identified as a result of its high affinity for the receptor from which it takes its name, was discussed by Pere Puigserver. Only by interacting with PGC-1 and activating the transcription of mitochondrial UCP-1 can PPARg induce brown adipocyte differentiation. 3 To induce the expression of all the genes required for a complete thermogenic response in brown adipocytes, PGC-1 also serves as a coactivator of other nuclear receptors including PPARa, TR, RAR and ERRa. Additionally, when thermogenesis is required, PGC-1 is upregulated and stabilized by the sympathetic nervous system via activation of b-adrenoreceptor transduction pathways.PGC-1 also plays a critical role in the differentiation and metabolic activity of skeletal muscle, a major site of energy utilization during exercise. 4 The coactivator is sufficient for the induction of mitochondria biogenesis and the generation of type 1 (slow twitch) muscle. Calcium signaling cascades elevate PGC-1 muscle expression by activating transcription factors that have response elements in the coactivator's promoter. Pharmacological activation of PGC-1 in muscle might mitigate obesity.PGC-1 not only induces lipid catabolism but also hepatic gluconeogenesis during the fasted and diabetic states. 5...