PPARα is essential for retinal lipid metabolism and neuronal survival.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) is a ubiquitously expressed nuclear receptor. The role of endogenous PPARα in retinal neuronal homeostasis is unknown. Retinal photoreceptors are the highest energy-consuming cells in the body, requiring abundant energy substrates. PPARα is a known regulator of lipid metabolism, and we hypothesized that it may regulate lipid use for oxidative phosphorylation in energetically demanding retinal neurons.

Results

We found that endogenous PPARα is essential for the maintenance and survival of retinal neurons, with Pparα ^-/- mice developing retinal degeneration first detected at 8 weeks of age. Using extracellular flux analysis, we identified that PPARα mediates retinal utilization of lipids as an energ

SUBMITTER: Pearsall EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5706156 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature