PPAR gamma

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells by interacting with members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily known as peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). There are four of these nuclear hormone receptors known to date, and they are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate downstream gene transcription of genes such as acyl coenzyme A oxidase and cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Activation occurs through direct binding to specific DNA response elements following activation by an appropriate ligand.

COX2 is an inducible dimeric enzyme belonging to the prostaglandin G/H synthase family that enables cells to respond to growth factors, tumor promoters, and cytokines. Prostaglandins are synthesized through the creation of cyclic endoperoxides from arachidonic acid and COX2 catalyzes the committed step in the biosynthetic pathway.

Apolipoprotein E also known as ApoE is a 36kDa protein that is expressed in all lipoprotein fractions in plasma. This protein is produced in high quantities in the liver, brain, spleen, lung and kidney. The function of APOE is to mediate the binding, internalize and catabolize lipoprotein particles. A study carried out by researchers at the Case Western Reserve University in Ohio has recently been highlighted in the BBC Health News.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, co-activator 1 (PGC-1 alpha or PPARGC1A) gene encodes a 91 kDa nuclear protein that acts as a transcriptional co-activator involved in energy metabolism.