The protein encoded by this gene is a transcriptional coactivator that regulates the genes involved in energy metabolism. This protein interacts with PPARgamma, which permits the interaction of this protein with multiple transcription factors. This protein can interact with, and regulate the activities of, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and nuclear respiratory factors (NRFs). It provides a direct link between external physiological stimuli and the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, and is a major factor that regulates muscle fiber type determination. This protein may be also involved in controlling blood pressure, regulating cellular cholesterol homoeostasis, and the development of obesity. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that conditional deletion of desmoplakin in epicardial cells led to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, with single-cell RNA sequencing of epicardial-derived cells showing reduced transcript levels for the PPARGC1A in the fibroblast cluster of haploinsufficient cells, implicating its role in dysregulated metabolic pathways contributing to cardiac dysfunction and fibro-adipogenesis [Yuan et al. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.052928]. In human twin studies, insulin-stimulated muscle expression of the PPARGC1A was positively associated with birth weight, indicating its involvement in postnatal energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity [Dany Laure Wadji et al. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0315549]. A study in mice demonstrated that acute cold exposure (4°C for 4 hours) in C57BL/6J male mice induced a transcriptional response in subcutaneous white adipose tissue, with 714 differentially expressed genes and histological confirmation of beige adipocyte appearance [Liang et al. DOI:10.3390/ijms20163968].