FATTY-ACID ACTIVATION OF THE PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR ACTIVATED RECEPTOR, A MEMBER OF THE NUCLEAR RECEPTOR GENE SUPERFAMILY

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor is a member of the ster oid receptor gene super family, sharing amino acid sequence homology w ith other receptors and also showing similarities at the level of gene structure. This receptor is activated both by xenobiotic compounds th at induce peroxisome proliferation and by fatty acids at physiological concentrations. Upon activation the receptor mediates transcription o f responsive genes through binding to peroxisome proliferator response elements. These genes include those encoding peroxisomal enzymes and members of the cytochrome P450 family of drug metabolizing enzymes. It is therefore possible that the peroxisome proliferator activated rece ptor may play a crucial role in regulating lipid homeostasis.