Adipocyte Differentiation Is Regulated by a Prostaglandin Liganded to the Nuclear Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor

Abstract

Adipocyte differentiation and the homeostasis of fat cell number are regulated by a nuclear receptor protein, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ). The endogenous ligand is thought to be 15-deoxy-Δ_12,14-prostaglandin J₂. Thiazolidinedione, an antidiabetic drug, closely mimics the action of the prostaglandin, suggesting a regulatory role by the prostaglandin and PPARγ both in adipocyte differentiation and in glucose homeostasis.