All-trans-retinoic acid represses obesity and insulin resistance by activating both peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor beta/delta and retinoic acid receptor.

ABSTRACT: Many biological activities of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) are mediated by the ligand-activated transcription factors termed retinoic acid receptors (RARs), but this hormone can also activate the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta). We show here that adipocyte differentiation is accompanied by a shift in RA signaling which, in mature adipocytes, allows RA to activate both RARs and PPARbeta/delta, thereby enhancing lipolysis and depleting lipid stores. In vivo studies using a dietary-induced mouse model of obesity indicated that onset of obesity is accompanied by downregulation of adipose PPARbeta/delta expression and activity. RA treatment of obese mice induced expression of PPARbeta/delta and RAR target genes involved in regulation of l

SUBMITTER: Berry DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2698724 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature