PPARC

PPARC, also known as Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, is a nuclear receptor protein that in humans is encoded by the PPARA gene. This gene is a member of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subfamily of nuclear receptors. PPARs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression involved in lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, and inflammation. PPARC specifically is a transcription factor that binds to DNA sequences called peroxisome proliferator response elements (PPREs). Upon binding, it forms a heterodimer with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and then recruits coactivator proteins to regulate the transcription of target genes. PPARC is primarily activated by fatty acids and their derivatives, as well as by a class of synthetic compounds known as fibrates. Its activation is particularly important in the liver, where it promotes fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis, thereby increasing energy expenditure and reducing circulating triglyceride levels. PPARC also influences the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism and the inflammatory response. Dysregulation of PPARC activity has been implicated in various metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance.